Democrat Reid elected Senate majority leader

WASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Reuters) US Sen Harry Reid, a moderate Nevada Democrat, was elected by colleagues today as US Senate majority leader for the 110th Congress that will convene in January.

Reid, like most fellow Democrats, favors a phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, a major issue in last week's elections that saw Democrats win control of the Senate and House of Representatives from President George W Bush's Republicans.

Reid has served the past two years as Senate minority leader. He replaced Tom Daschle, who was ousted by voters in his home state of South Dakota in 2004 after being denounced as ''the chief obstructionist'' to Bush's conservative agenda.

Democrats also elected Dick Durbin of Illinois as assistant Senate majority leader. He has been Senate assistant minority leader since January 2005.

Senate Republicans are to elect their leadership for the new Congress tomorrow, while the two parties select their leadership in the House on Thursday and Friday.

REUTERS SY VV2222