WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Senate Armed Services Committee voted unanimously on Thursday evening to approve Adm. Michael Mullen to be the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Army Times reported on Friday.

    The panel also confirmed Marine Gen. James Cartwright to be his vice chairman, according to the report.

    Mullen, the chief of naval operations, will replace Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who served two years but was not asked to stay on for a customary second two-year stint.

    Cartwright, chief of U.S. Strategic Command, would replace Adm. Edmund Giambastiani, who is retiring.

    The two had their confirmation hearing before the armed services committee July 31 and faced no serious opposition among the committee members, who sent their nomination to the full Senate for consideration.

    Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin, (D-Mich.), said the Senate was moving at "warp speed" to try to confirm Mullen and Cartwright before Congress adjourns Aug. 3 for its traditional summer recess.