Republicans delay Chuck Hagel's defence secretary vote

Republican senators have delayed a vote to confirm President Obama's nominee for US secretary of defense.

They say questions remain about Senator Chuck Hagel but have agreed to an up-or-down vote later this month.

Mr Hagel's backers say the US military needs a leader in place while troops remain in Afghanistan and North Korea has just tested a nuclear device.

Outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is to remain in his post until Mr Hagel is confirmed.

Mr Hagel, a decorated and twice-wounded veteran of the Vietnam War, served in the Senate for 12 years.

But correspondents say he is seen by some of his former colleagues as a renegade for breaking with Republican ranks on issues such as the Iraq War.

He has also been criticised during the confirmation process for comments he made years ago claiming "the Jewish lobby" had too much influence over American policy.

His remarks in 1998 that a nominee for an ambassadorial post was "openly, aggressively gay" have also raised eyebrows. Mr Hagel has since apologised for that comment.