The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Antony Blinken, a long-time foreign policy adviser of U.S. President Joe Biden, to be the next Secretary of State.

The Senate voted in favour of Blinken, a veteran diplomat and defender of multilateral alliances, by 78 votes to 22 votes. All the votes against Blinken came from the Republicans.

Blinken will be tasked with spearheading a revitalization of the State Department, which, to some, appeared to have lost confidence, and a restoration of America's standing in the world.

He will also have to lead a quick transition from the "America first" policy of Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, to one of multilateralism and alliances.

He is the latest cabinet member of the Biden administration to be confirmed after Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, Defense Secretary General Lloyd Austin and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

(With input from agencies)