Washington - US president-elect Barack Obama has selected lawyer Eric Holder to become the top law enforcement officer in his administration, US media reported Tuesday.

Holder has accepted the offer to serve as attorney general and his final approval is pending a vetting process by the Obama transition team, CNN and Newsweek magazine reported.

Holder served as deputy attorney general in former president Bill Clinton's administration, the second highest position in the Justice Department.

Holder, 57, would be the first African American to head the Justice Department.

Obama's selection of Holder would make him the first person reported to have accepted a cabinet position. The Obama transition team had not confirmed the reports.

Obama said in an interview with CBS News on Sunday that he will soon begin naming cabinet positions. All cabinet jobs must be approved by the Senate.

So far news coverage has focused on the possibility of Obama naming former rival Senator Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state. Obama said he met with Clinton last week but did not provide details.

News reports said Obama asked Clinton if she would be interested in the top diplomatic post but stopped short of offering the job. Reports have said the Obama team was closely vetting Bill Clinton to ensure there are no problems with his life since leaving office.

Clinton has travelled around the world and raised millions for his charitable foundation and other causes.