Powell gets nod

On Saturday, Powell became the first person to accept a Cabinet post in Bush's administration. Powell, a former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, also became the first African-American named to serve as secretary of state.

The two ranking members of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee vowed Saturday to quickly confirm Powell's nomination.

"The Foreign Relations Committee will move with haste to confirm Gen. Powell, so that he is available to serve the president on his first day in office," North Carolina's Sen. Jesse Helms, a Republican, said.

"I look forward to working with Gen. Powell and President-elect Bush in a bipartisan manner to ensure that America's foreign policy objectives are met," said Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware.

Policy preview

Powell, 63, gave a preview of his international policy after his nomination.

"We will stand strong with our allies against those nations that pursue weapons of mass destruction," Powell said.

He pledged to continue working for Mideast peace. "It is absolutely a given that under a Bush administration, America will remain very engaged in the Middle East."

Said Powell about Iraq: "My judgment is that sanctions of some form must be kept in place . . . we are not doing this to hurt the Iraqi people, we are doing this to protect the people of the region."

Bush called Powell "an American hero, an American example and a great American story."

Military decorations

Powell served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Persian Gulf War and the presidency of Bush's father, and briefly during President Bill Clinton's first term.

Because Powell is popular across the political spectrum, his appointment is seen by many analysts as a reassuring message following a historically close election that has revealed deep national divisions.

Powell -- the son of Jamaican immigrants -- was born in New York City and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He is a recipient of several military decorations, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

He has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal and an honorary knighthood from England's queen.

Since retiring from the military in 1993, Powell has served as chairman of America's Promise, a volunteer organization that helps young people. He is married and has three children.

Transition team

Bush's transition team began moving its headquarters Friday from temporary space in the Virginia suburbs to government-provided office space in Washington.

The General Services Administration on Thursday turned over the official transition office space and a $5 million allocation to pay for the process.

The new leaders are racing to make up for a five-week delay caused by the Florida recounts after Election Day, a situation that was resolved Wednesday when Vice President Al Gore conceded.

While aides said some posts in the new administration could be announced by Saturday, more than 6,400 positions need to be filled, including 1,125 requiring Senate approval.

CNN National Correspondent Tony Clark contributed to this report.