U.S. Senate has confirmed Gen. Petraeus as CIA Director
Baku, July 1 (AZERTAC). General David Petraeus has been confirmed by the US Senate as director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he will replace Leon Panetta, the new secretary of defence.
Gen Petraeus, commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan, was nominated for the CIA by President Barack Obama in April.
Gen Petraeus, 58, is widely admired across party lines in the US.
Gen Petraeus, a 37-year veteran of the US Army, was also credited with turning around the war in Iraq after President George W Bush tasked him with managing a surge of troops in 2007.
In the US Senate, the vote to confirm him was 94-0.
His appointment in April came amid a reshuffling of Mr Obama`s national security team.
Robert Gates, appointed defence secretary by President Bush in 2006, is to retire and be replaced by Mr Panetta, whom the Senate confirmed 100-0 last week.
Mr Panetta, a former budget aide to President Bill Clinton, was appointed CIA director at the beginning of Mr Obama`s term.
Gen Petraeus took over as commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan about a year ago.
Analysts lauded his co-operation with the CIA in Afghanistan, where he was known for his use of the agency`s intelligence.
He leaves the post just after Mr Obama announced he would begin drawing down the number of US troops in Afghanistan, with 10,000 troops leaving this year and 23,000 in 2012.
Last week, Gen Petraeus said he would carry out Mr Obama`s order but said the withdrawal was “more aggressive” than military leaders had recommended.
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