From correspondents in Washington, United States, 11:30 AM IST

US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has chosen senator Joseph Biden as his running mate, CNN reported Saturday.

Obama, a senator from Illinois, who is to be officially nominated at the party's national convention next week, has said he would announce his vice presidential pick to supporters via a text message Saturday.

CNN said it has confirmed Obama's choice from Democrat Party sources.

Biden, who was born in 1942, has served in the Senate since 1973.

Earlier reports said three names were on top of Obama's list of vice presidential options: Biden, who is from Delaware, Indiana senator Even Bayh and Virginia governor Timothy M. Kaine.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)