Rex Tillerson is set to be sworn in as Donald Trump’s secretary of state, after the former ExxonMobil chief executive's appointment was approved by the US Senate.

The 64-year-old was accepted in a 56-43 vote, which Democrats had attempted to delay in order to ask Mr Tillerson about the President's temporary ban on refugees.

While every Republican senator voted in favour of Mr Tillerson, just four members of the Democratic caucus backed his appointment.

The former oil chief had been seen as a controversial nominee due to his extensive business dealings in Russia and links to Vladimir Putin.

Democrats oppose Trump's pick for US Supreme Court

Others suggested that Mr Tillerson prioritised "narrow business interests" ahead of "core national security interests" during his confirmation hearing last month.


Despite this, Senate foreign relations committee chairman Bob Corker said Mr Tillerson "possesses deep relationships around the world and understands the critical role of US leadership".

He added: "(Mr Tillerson) has expressed a commitment to defend American values and to restore US credibility by strengthening old alliances and building new ones."

Joe Manchin, one of the four Democrat senators who voted for Mr Tillerson, said the former oil chief would bring a "unique perspective to the State department" and provide "wise counsel and objective advice to the President on our nation's foreign policy".

Trump wades back into travel ban debate

However, fellow Democrat Ben Cardin described Mr Tillerson as a "yes man" and said he would not be able to prevent Mr Trump from leading the US "on a march of folly".

Mr Tillerson, who squeezed through a Senate Foreign Relations Committee vote by a majority of just one, is expected to be sworn in on Thursday.

With his confirmation, the President has several members of his national security team in place - including secretary of defence James Mattis, Homeland Security secretary John Kelly, CIA director Mike Pompeo and US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley.

Following Democrat opposition to his pick for the US Supreme Court, Mr Trump said he would push for a "nuclear" change to Senate rules.

Earlier, Republicans pushed Mr Trump's proposed appointments for health and treasury secretaries by suspending the Senate Finance Committee's voting rules.