Senators voted 57-42 in favor of Pompeo, who faced stiff resistance from Democrats worried about his reputation for hawkishness and past harsh statements about Islam.

Last month, US President Donald Trump announced the departure of his top diplomat Rex Tillerson and that he would nominate CIA chief Pompeo as his successor.

Trump praised Pompeo, a former U.S. army officer and congressman who led the CIA for nearly 14 months, as "the right person for the job at this critical juncture."

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