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Obama nominates aide to lead USAID

Xinhua, May 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

President Barack Obama on Thursday tapped a White House aide to lead the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The president praised his nominee, Gayle Smith, a specialist on development and Africa, for her "energy and passion" in guiding U. S. international development policy over the years.

"Gayle has my full confidence and I have no doubt that she will prove to be an outstanding leader for the tireless men and women of USAID as they work to improve lives around the world," Obama said in a White House statement, calling for her quick confirmation by the Senate.

Smith will succeed Rajiv Shah, who resigned in February, once her nomination is confirmed.

Smith, 59, has been serving as a special assistant to the president and senior director for development and democracy on the National Security Council since 2009.

She lived and worked in Africa for almost 20 years as a journalist and worker for non-governmental relief and development organizations, according to the White House.

The USAID is a government agency responsible for administering civilian foreign aid with an annual budget of 20 billion dollars. Endite