Cardin replaces Menendez in U.S. Senate Foreign Relations post

Cardin, a two-term senator from Maryland, will now be the leading Democratic spokesman in the Senate on foreign policy matters ranging from nuclear disarmament talks with Iran to an evolving U.S.-Cuba policy.

The announcement was made by a spokesman to Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid.

Cardin was named to the committee post just as a framework deal was being announced in Switzerland between Iran and world powers on Tehran's nuclear program. Last month, Cardin said Congress must have a role in reviewing any such deal.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Susan Heaveym and Will Dunham)