by Hauwa Gambo

CNN is reporting that President Obama will nominate Sen. John Kerry to be Secretary of State, a democrat who spoke to the senator says.

According to the network, its source has confirmed that a formal announcement could come next week.

Susan Rice, who is United States ambassador to the United Nations, withdrew her name from consideration Thursday after prominent Republicans including John McCain and Lindsey Graham made clear they would frustrate her nomination at the senate.

The Republicans, and other Rice critics, have remained disturbed over her statements following the attack on the American Embassy in Egypt earlier this year.