Susan Rice named as Obama's new National Security Advisor

Susan Rice, the tough-talking US Ambassador to the UN, was today named as President Barack Obama's new National Security Advisor, in a significant shakeup to the White House foreign policy team.

Considered a strong advocate of India-US relationship, 48-year-old Rice would take over as National Security Advisor in early July.

She would replace 58-year-old Tom Donilon.

Making a formal announcement in this regard at the Rose Garden of the White House, Obama hailed Rice as an "exemplary public servant".