The appointment of San Francisco businessman James Hormel as ambassador to Luxembourg was made during a public holiday earlier this week when Congress was not in session.

James Hormel: Blocked twice in the Senate

Mr Clinton used a provision of the constitution allowing him to make such appointments during a congressional recess.

Correspondents say the process is rarely used for high-profile appointments since it annoys senators, who value their right to confirm nominees.

Defending the move, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said: "This came down to a couple of senators who thought that he shouldn't be ambassador to Luxembourg because he's gay."

He added that Mr Clinton thought that was wrong and went ahead with the appointment during a congressional recess

Move draws condemnation

However, the decision was attacked by conservative and religious groups.

Marc Thiessen, a spokesman for the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jesse Helms, condemned the decision to use the congressional recess.

"It shows the president's contempt for the constitutional process, number one, and it shows he wasn't serious about the nomination. This is an effort to get political gain out of certain presidential constituencies," Mr Thiessen said.

The Traditional Values Coalition called James Hormel a "purveyor of smut" and an advocate of "radical homosexual activity."

Mr Hormel, a former representative at the UN and a well known anti-AIDS compaigner, said he was delighted by his appointment.

"I deeply appreciate the confidence they have expressed in me and I look forward to serving," he said.