February 3, 2013

(JTA) — John Kerry was sworn in as the U.S. secretary of state amid reports that he would visit the Middle East, including Israel, as part of his first official overseas trip.

The trip, which also would include a stop in Egypt, is expected to come in the middle of this month, CNN reported Saturday.

Kerry, who leaves his post as a U.S. senator from Massachusetts, was sworn in last Friday by Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, succeeding Hillary Rodham Clinton.

He was the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has traveled extensively throughout the world, including to the Middle East.

Kerry said during his confirmation hearings that he would work to restart peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

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