WASHINGTON, Sept 17: US President George Bush on Monday formally nominated retired federal judge Michael Mukasey as attorney-general and urged the US Senate to confirm him swiftly.

“The attorney-general has an especially vital role to play in a time of war and when we face challenges — and we face the challenge of protecting our people on a daily basis from deadly enemies, while at the same time protecting our freedom,” Bush said in the White House Rose Garden.

If confirmed, Mukasey would replace Alberto Gonzales, who resigned late last month after a tenure marred by critics’ claims that he lacked independence from the White House, was incompetent, hid the truth and may be guilty of perjury.

Bush hopes lawmakers in the US Congress, where his Democratic foes have a majority, will confirm his pick by Oct 8, according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

“It’s a pivotal time for our nation and it’s vital that the position of attorney-general be filled quickly. I urge the Senate to confirm Judge Mukasey promptly,” the president said.—AFP