Obama 'picks' US attorney-general

Eric Holder supported Mr Obama from early on in his presidential campaign

Barack Obama will appoint Eric Holder to the post of attorney-general, according to US media reports.

If confirmed, Mr Holder, 57, would be the first African-American to occupy the senior position.

He would also lead the administration's efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, a move Mr Obama has singled out as a priority.

He served as deputy attorney-general under Bill Clinton and currently works for law firm Covington and Burling.

In 2000, Mr Holder controversially advised President Clinton - on the last day of his administration - that he was "neutral, leaning towards favourable" about pardoning fugitive financier Marc Rich.

Critics accused the outgoing president of issuing the pardon because Mr Rich's wife had donated money to Mr Clinton's presidential library.

If confirmed, Mr Holder would be Mr Obama's first publicly-known cabinet appointment.

He was a prominent early backer of Mr Obama's presidential ambitions, and co-chaired his vice-presidential selection committee.

Speculation has mounted in recent days that Mr Obama intends to offer the job of Secretary of State to his former rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton.