WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department has launched a blog named "Dip Note" to encourage interaction between the department and members of the public, State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said Wednesday.

    The blog, launched on Tuesday, is the first ever State Department blog and is named as "Dip Note," referring to "diplomatic note."

    On the blog with the Internet address as http://blogs.state.gov, there is an introduction from Sean McCormack, the State Department spokesman, some comments from Kristen Silverberg, U.S. assistant secretary of state for international organizations, and some postings, Casey said.

    "And what we hope that this will do is stimulate and prompt some increased activity and interaction between the department and members of the public," Casey added.