Jerusalem  - US secretary-of-state designate Hillary Clinton has promised Israeli Prime Minsiter Ehud Olmert that she would work for Middle East peace as the next top US diplomat, Olmert's office said Saturday.

Olmert congratulated her on her nomination and the two spoke "at length" about Middle East issues, according to the prime minister's media advisor.

"The prime minister views (Senator) Clinton as a true friend of Israel. She promised that she would continue to act to bring peace and stability to the Middle East," the advisor said in a statement.

In a surprise move, US president-elect Barack Obama nominated his erstwhile rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Clinton, to be US secretary of state. Her nomination must be confirmed by teh US Senate. (dpa)