WASHINGTON (AFP) - The State Department will be in good hands if former first lady Hillary Clinton is named as the country's top diplomat, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday.

Rice said at a press conference that president-elect Barack Obama had not yet officially named his choice for diplomat-in-chief.

But in an apparent reference to Senator Clinton, she said: "I've heard some names of some great people, and I think that the department and the country will be in good hands."

According to Obama aides, Clinton's nomination is on track and expected to be officially announced after Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday.

AFP, November 26, 2008