[JURIST] John Bolton [official profile], President Bush's nominee for US ambassador to the UN, appeared Monday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee [official website]. Senate Democrats largely oppose Bolton, who has been criticized for his statements on the irrelevance of the United Nations. In his opening statement Monday, Bolton pledged to work to both strengthen and reform the UN in light of recent scandals. Bolton also dismissed questions about allegations involving the improper reassignment of a State Department analyst. The hearing was interrupted briefly when three protesters holding signs shouted "No on Bolton," and other slogans. Reuters has more. Read Monday's statement from commitee chairman Senator Richard Lugar [official website].