Ashton Carter likely next Pentagon chief: reports

WASHINGTON: The former number-two ranking official at the Pentagon, Ashton Carter, will likely be named as the next US defense secretary, American media reported Tuesday.

President Barack Obama was poised to nominate Carter -- a physicist turned national security policy wonk -- to replace outgoing Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel, "barring any last minute complications," CNN reported.

CNN cited several unnamed administration officials and The Washington Post also reported Obama would nominate Carter.

The White House declined to confirm or deny the reports but said Carter was on a "short list" of candidates and highlighted his qualifications for the post.

Carter had served "very, very ably" as the former deputy defense secretary and enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.

As Carter had been confirmed by lawmakers for his previous position by unanimous consent, "this is an indication that he fulfilled some of the criteria that we´ve discussed in the past," Earnest said.

"He is somebody that does have a detailed understanding of the way that the Department of Defense works," he said.

Pentagon officials acknowledged to AFP that Carter was among the top contenders for the post but could not confirm if a final decision had been taken.

Hagel, the outgoing Pentagon chief, announced his resignation last week. Officials privately said he was forced out after losing the confidence of the White House, as the United States wages an air war against Islamic State jihadists in Iraq and Syria.