Mark Esper sworn in as US defence secretary

Wednesday, 24 July 2019 15:10

A new US Secretary of Defence has been sworn in, ending the longest period that the Pentagon has gone without a confirmed leader in its history.

Mark Esper is an Army veteran and former defence industry lobbyist.

He replaces Jim Mattis who stepped down 7 months ago, after a series of policy disputes with President Donald Trump.

Trump initially nominated Patrick Shanahan, who served as acting secretary of defence until the disclosure of domestic violence incidents within his family caused the former Boeing executive to withdraw from the nomination process in June.

More from International News

Explosion hits US embassy in Oslo, causing minor damage, thick smoke

The U.S. embassy in Oslo was hit by a loud explosion early on Sunday, causing minor damage but no injuries, Norwegian police said.
Four killed in Beirut hotel strike, Israel says it targeted Iranian commanders

At least four people were killed when an Israeli strike hit an apartment in the Ramada hotel building in central Beirut early on Sunday, with Israel saying it targeted Iranian commanders operating in the Lebanese capital.
Drone attacks cause major fire at Kuwait International Airport

Two fuel depots at Kuwait International Airport came under a drone attack on Saturday night, causing a large fire at one of the facilities.
Israel warns Lebanon of 'heavy price' as week's death toll nears 300

Israel has warned Lebanon of a "very heavy price" if it did not rein in Hezbollah on Saturday, as it pounded the group's strongholds around the country with air strikes and mounted a deadly airborne raid in the east.