The US president-elect Barack Obama is expected to appoint the former President Bill Clinton's senior adviser, Rahm Emanuel, his Chief of Staff, BBC reported Thursday.

Emanuel, 48, is a congressman known as a key Democratic strategist and fundraiser.

The Illinois Democratic Representative is also known for his tough and aggressive style in the political arena.

Regarded as a centrist Democrat, Mr Emanuel was an important player in the US USD 700 B financial bailout plan, where he helped mobilise Democratic votes to pass the measure.

He has had a rapid rise up the Democratic hierarchy in the House of Representatives since his election in 2002 as Congressman for Illinois' Fifth District in Chicago. In his second term, Mr Emanuel served on the House Ways and Means Committee.

He was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006. Under his leadership, the Democrats gained 30 seats in the House of Representatives, allowing them to gain control of the House after 12 years of Republican control.

In 2007, he was elected to serve as the Democratic Caucus Chair, the fourth highest ranking Member of the House Democratic Leadership.

Mr Emanuel was the Director of Finance for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992. He then went on to serve as a senior adviser to the president from 1993 to 1998 - first as an assistant to the President for Political Affairs and then as Senior Adviser to the President for Policy and Strategy.

After his time in the Clinton administration, Mr Emanuel became a managing director for a leading global investment bank in Chicago.

Mr Emanuel worked on Paul Simon's 1984 US Senate election and served as an adviser and chief fundraiser for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1989.

He graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in New York in 1981 after turning down a dance scholarship. He received his Master's in Speech and Communication from Northwestern University in 1985.

His political career was launched at consumer rights organisation Illinois Public Action.

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