Chicago, Nov. 30 : A former adviser to US President-elect Barack Obama who shockingly branded one-time Democratic rival Hillary Clinton a "monster" and was forced to quit, has now been named as a member of the transition team for completing the vetting process that will clear the way for Clinton to be the next Secretary of State.

Samantha Power caused a huge uproar in American political circles at the height of the primary contest, when she told The Scotsman in an interview "She (Hillary) is a monster, too. She is stooping to anything."

That uncalled for remark was made during a tour of the UK and Ireland to promote her book. Clinton''s office last night declined to comment on Power''s inclusion on the list, but an official close to the Obama transition team said Power "made a gesture to bury the hatchet" and this had been well received.

Power''s apparent rehabilitation is being seen by US political experts as another sign that Hillary Clinton is almost certain to be the next Secretary of State.

A Harvard professor, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and noted commentator on genocide, Power will deal with global humanitarian issues as part of the team, said the Obama camp. Power has now described the comment that she made in March this year as a "lapse of judgment". (ANI)