Obama unveils final cabinet picks

Mr Obama pledged to renegotiate trade deals during the election campaign

US President-elect Barack Obama has revealed who will fill the final seats in his cabinet.

California Congresswoman Hilda Solis will be labour secretary, and former congressman Ray LaHood - a Republican - will become transportation secretary.

He has also announced that former Dallas mayor Ron Kirk will act as his trade representative.

No more cabinet secretary positions remain to be filled, although Mr Obama has yet to name his intelligence chief.

Ms Solis will be the third Hispanic member of Mr Obama's cabinet, alongside Commerce Secretary Bill Richardson and Ken Salazar, who will be interior secretary.

She will be one of five women to hold cabinet rank under Mr Obama.

Workers' rights

The AFL-CIO - the umbrella organisation for US trades unions - says Ms Solis has voted in the interests of organised labour 97% of the time.

Ms Solis will be responsible for helping Mr Obama pass labour relations legislation, including, perhaps, the controversial Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

The EFCA, which would force employers to recognise unions if a majority of employees signed cards authorising union representation, is opposed by some members of the business community.

They argue that it would take away workers' rights to a secret ballot.

By appointing Mr LaHood to run the Department of Transportation, Mr Obama fulfils an earlier pledge to include a Republican in his cabinet.

Mr Obama's choice for Defence Secretary - Robert Gates - has served under a number of Republican presidents, including the current one, but is a registered independent.

As US trade representative, Mr Kirk will be responsible for negotiating international trade agreements on behalf of the US.

Free trade became a major issue during the presidential election campaign, with Mr Obama pledging to renegotiate existing US trade deals.