A person close to Mrs Clinton, Mr Obama's former rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, said on Sunday that 'she will be in Chicago tomorrow to be named secretary of state.'

Mr Obama has been widely expected to name Mrs Clinton as secretary of state and current Defense Secretary Robert Gates as his Pentagon chief.

The pair will face the crucial task of rebuilding the United States' image abroad, extricating U.S. forces from Iraq and tackling a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan, where a Nato-led campaign against the insurgent group is faltering.

Mr Obama's office said in a statement on Sunday that Mr Obama would announce members of his national security team at a news conference at 11.40 pm Monday. Vice President-elect Joe Biden will also attend.

US media have speculated that Mr Obama may also name retired Marine Gen. James Jones, the former top operational commander of NATO, as White House national security adviser, and Janet Napolitano, the Democratic governor of Arizona, as head of Homeland Security. -- REUTERS