Leon Panetta was unanimously confirmed by the Senate Tuesday to be the next Pentagon chief, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Panetta, who is currently the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, will replace Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is retiring June 30 after serving in the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Panetta has served in the House as a California congressman, headed the Budget Committee and was director of the Office of Management and Budget. He was chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton.

His confirmation comes as Obama is set to address the nation on Wednesday about his plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, and as Congress continues to debate the legality of the U.S. military's role in Libya.

Sen. Carl Levin, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said the choice of Panetta was a wise and solid one. And Sen. Lindsey Graham called Obama's nominee a home-run choice.

Barack obama Libya Los Angeles Libya