WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Republicans retained control of the US Senate early Wednesday, capturing a string of Democratic seats across the South, US television reported.

    Shortly after midnight in the East, Republicans were assured of 52 seats, one more than they control in the current Senate which consists of 100 members, according to reports of the CBS and Fox television network.

    The Republicans captured Democratic open seats in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Louisiana.

    They also kept their decade-long hold on the House of Representatives for another two years, after knocking off four veteran Texas Democrats along the way.

    By winning their 218th seat, and with a dozen more likely to come, Republicans were set to control the House for a dozen consecutive years, the first time they have achieved that feat since the 12 years that ended in January 1933, the report said.

    The win could give them at least 232 seats, 14 more than the majority needed for House control. Enditem