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Former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to be Defense Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 31, 2013. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Hagel swears in as defense chief after bruising confirmation battle
Hagel swears in as defense chief after bruising confirmation battle
Posted : Wednesday, 27 February 2013 08:44AM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chuck Hagel, a decorated Vietnam veteran, swore in as the defense secretary at a small, closed-door ceremony on Wednesday, after a bruising confirmation battle in the Senate.

Hagel will address Pentagon employees at 10:30 a.m. EST. He was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday in the closest vote ever for a defense secretary, with just four Republicans voting for him.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart)

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