(SOUNDBITE) (English) SENATOR ROBERT MENENDEZ SAYING:
"We are honored to welcome you as the President's nominee for a position you have so deservedly earned."
That's Senator Robert Menendez introducing John Kerry -- U.S. President Barack Obama's choice to become Secretary of State.
Appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which he chaired for the last four years, Kerry, broke no new ground in his testimony on Iran.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SENATOR JOHN KERRY, SAYING:
"I think everybody is very hopeful that we can make some progress on the diplomatic front."
Kerry said in Syria the focus needs to be on transition.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SENATOR JOHN KERRY, SAYING:
"Right now President Assad does not think he is losing and the opposition thinks it is winning -- that is not an equation that allows you to reach some accommodation for transition. The goal of the Obama Administration and I think the goal of the international community if the effect some kind of orderly transition."
Kerry, who served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, is expected to win easy confirmation.
