PRESIDENT Barack Obama may round out his new national security leadership team this week, with a nomination for defence secretary expected and a pick to lead the CIA possible.

Former Republican senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is the front-runner for the top Pentagon post and acting CIA director Michael Morell and Obama counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan leading contenders to head the spy agency. White House aides said the president had not made a final decision on either post and would not until he returned from Hawaii, where he is on holiday with his family. He is due back in Washington today.

■united states