Bush 'picks new US legal chief'

Alberto Gonzales resigned after being accused of lying

US President George W Bush has chosen a replacement for outgoing US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, reports say.

Mr Bush is expected to name retired federal judge Michael Mukasey as his choice for the post.

Mr Mukasey has presided over a number of high-profile terror trials and is seen as a conservative, analysts say.

Mr Gonzales resigned last month amid accusations that he fired eight lawyers for political reasons and later lied about it - charges he denies.

He officially steps down from his post on Monday.

Although Mr Bush accepted his resignation, he has continued to support Mr Gonzales, saying: "His good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons."

The White House has not confirmed the reports that Mr Mukasey is about to be nominated for the position of US attorney general.

But a spokeswoman told the Reuters news agency that an announcement was due "soon".

Correspondents say 66-year-old Mr Mukasey, from New York, could be an acceptable choice for both Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

The president's nomination as attorney general must be approved by the Senate.