US President Barack Obama's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, is resting at home following successful surgery.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement, late on Friday, that Carter "underwent a long-planned surgical procedure on his back," and "decided to go ahead with the previously scheduled procedure so that he could complete it before beginning his confirmation process" by the Senate. He added that Carter "is resting comfortably with his family and is looking forward to confirmation process and if confirmed, to serving with the men and women of the Defense Department."