U.S. President George W. Bush (R) looks on as Federal judge Michael Chertoff speaks at a news conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in this file photo taken on January 11. (Reuters)

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- The US Senate unanimously confirmed federal judge Michael Chertoff as Homeland Security Secretary on Tuesday, completing confirmations on President George W. Bush's second-term cabinet.

    The Senate voted 98-0 after questioning Chertoff on his role in developing the US investigation immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. He seemed to garner support after vowing to work with lawmakers to balance the need to fight terrorism and protect civil liberties.

    Chertoff, 51, as former assistant attorney general at the Justice Department's criminal division from 2001 to 2003, played a key role in forming the department's anti-terror policies after the Sept. 11 attacks. He was later named by Bush to a appeals court position in New Jersey.

    At the confirmation hearing started earlier this month, Chertoff faced tough question about the Justice Department's detention of hundreds of foreigners without charges after the attacks. He defended the investigation strategy but conceded it had not always been executed perfectly.

    Senior Democratic Senator Carl Levin delayed the confirmation after the Justice Department denied his request for information about the treatment of terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

    By confirming Chertoff, the Senate has finished the confirmation work for Bush's new cabinet. Enditem