US Republican President-elect Donald Trump has formally announced Exxon-Mobil Corp chairman and Chief Executive Rex Tillerson as his nomination to serve as US Secretary of State.
"His tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice for Secretary of State.
"He will promote regional stability and focus on the core national security interests of the United States," Mr Trump said in a statement released by his transition team.
Mr Tillerson, 64, is an oil executive with extensive experience in international negotiations and a business relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Mr Tillerson said he shared Mr Trump's "vision for restoring the credibility of the United States' foreign relations and advancing our country's national security."
Mr Trump picked the Texan after he was backed by several Republican establishment figures including former secretaries of state James Baker and Condoleeza Rice and former defence secretary Robert Gates, a transition official said.
Their support is seen as key to helping Mr Tillerson get past a possibly contentious Senate confirmation battle likely to focus on his relationship with President Putin.
In 2013, Mr Putin bestowed a Russian state honour, the Order of Friendship, on Mr Tillerson, citing his work "strengthening cooperation in the energy sector".
Mr Trump judged in making the pick that Mr Tillerson could adequately address questions about his relations with Russia, an official said.
Politicians from both major parties have raised questions about Mr Tillerson and former UN Ambassador John Bolton, who has been mentioned as a possible number two State Department official.
The Kremlin has lauded the "good" ties between Mr Putin and Mr Tillerson.
"Russian representatives, and not just the president have good, businesslike relations with Tillerson. He is a very solid figure," Mr Putin's top foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov told journalists,
He added that Mr Tillerson was "very professional in his field".
Separately, a source close to the transition said Mr Trump had chosen former Texas Governor Rick Perry as his nominee for energy secretary, with an announcement expected soon. Mr Perry met Mr Trump yesterday at Trump Tower in New York.
Republicans and Democrats said Mr Tillerson would be asked about his contacts with Russia, having met Mr Putin several times.
There has been controversy over the role alleged Russian cyber hacking may have had on the outcome of the presidential election.
Trump indicates he will leave business before 20 January
Meanwhile, in a series of late-night tweets last night, Mr Trump said he would be leaving his business before 20 January so he can focus full-time on the presidency and that he would leave his two sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, to manage it.
He did not mention his daughter, Ivanka, who has been a central player in his business affairs and who is said to be considering a move to Washington to help her father.
Presidency. Two of my children, Don and Eric, plus executives, will manage them. No new deals will be done during my term(s) in office.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2016
He said he would hold a press conference "in the near future to discuss the business, Cabinet picks and all other topics of interest. Busy times!"
Mr Trump chose Mr Tillerson over 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who had famously criticised Mr Trump during the party's fight for a nominee this year.
