WASHINGTON - DEMOCRATIC leaders on Monday endorsed the bid by Illinois attorney Roland Burris to succeed President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate, after a row over his appointment by the state's impeached governor.

Senate Democratic majority leader Harry Reid and his top lieutenant Senator Dick Durbin said Mr Burris had provided fresh paper work confirming his appointment after his credentials were rejected as incomplete last week.

'We have spoken to Mr Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect,' the two leaders said in a statement.

'Accordingly, barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week.

'We are working with him and the office of the Vice-President to determine the date and time of the swearing-in.' Mr Burris was named to the Illinois Senate seat by scandal-tainted Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested and accused of trying to sell off the plum position in return for political favors.

Democrats turned him away from the Senate last week when he came to claim the seat, arguing his paperwork was not in order. -- AFP