NEW YORK - A DEMOCRATIC official says President-elect Barack Obama will name New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as commerce secretary.

The official says Mr Obama plans to announce Mr Richardson's selection after Thanksgiving. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorised to speak publicly about the negotiations.

Mr Richardson was energy secretary and UN ambassador under President Bill Clinton. Richardson would be the most visible Hispanic named to Mr Obama's Cabinet.

Mr Richardson dropped out of the Democratic presidential contest in January and endorsed Mr Obama. -- AFP