Democrats turn to foreign policy

The US Democratic convention in Denver, Colorado, is to turn its focus on foreign policy and security with speeches by Joe Biden and Bill Clinton.

Senator Biden, Barack Obama's chosen running-mate for the presidential race, is to deliver the keynote speech.

Former President Clinton is to take to the stage a day after his wife Hillary, Mr Obama's defeated rival for the race.

Mrs Clinton called on Democrats to unite behind Mr Obama, saying she was his "proud supporter".

Foreign policy is seen by some observers as not being Mr Obama's strong point.

However, according to the Democratic National Convention website, Mr Obama "offers a new, tough foreign policy that is neither Republican nor Democratic, but is a strong, smart American foreign policy".

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Mr Biden is a veteran foreign policy expert chosen by Barack Obama as his running mate partly on account of his experience.

Mr Clinton is expected to launch attacks on Mr Obama's Republican rival for the presidency, John McCain, and on the Bush administration, particularly on the state of the US economy.

His speech will be closely scrutinised for signs of lingering resentment over the bruising primary Democratic campaign, which ended in defeat for his wife, correspondents say.

'Unite'

Speaking at the party's nominating convention on Tuesday, Mrs Clinton said the Democrats could not afford to lose to the Republicans:

"Whether you voted for me or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose."

The roll-call vote, in which delegates will have the chance to vote for either Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton as the party's nominee, also takes place on Wednesday.

Mr Obama will join the convention shortly, having spent the first part of the week campaigning in battleground states.

He is to formally accept the party's nomination on Thursday night for the election on 4 November.