Challenges ahead for Gates as defence chief

Washington: President-elect Barack Obama's decision to ask Robert Gates to stay as US defence secretary has been widely praised but it may lead to at least a few awkward moments for both men.

While Gates has tried to stay out of domestic politics and avoided direct criticism of Obama during the election campaign, he has advocated policies that have been at odds with Obama on issues such as the Iraq war and relations with Iran.

Having previously made clear he wanted to bow out at the end of the Bush administration, the 65-year-old Gates will face questions on how long he will stay under Obama.

Nevertheless Gates, lauded by Democrats, Republicans and the mainstream US media since taking over the Pentagon from Donald Rumsfeld in late 2006, is an attractive choice for Obama.

He would provide continuity at the Pentagon while the US fights wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has backed several policies supported by the president-elect.

Like Obama, Gates wants to send more troops to Afghanistan to fight spiraling insurgent violence and close the military prison for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Obama, who was due to unveil his national security team yesterday, and Democratic sources said Gates has agreed to stay on.

Selecting Gates would also help Obama fulfill a promise to look beyond Democrats for members of his Cabinet. Gates is a former career CIA officer who has held his most senior posts only under Republican presidents.