Tenet resigns as CIA director

CIA director George Tenet has resigned for “personal reasons”, US President George Bush said today.

Mr Tenet faced criticism for failing to prevent the September 11 terror attacks, but President Bush refused to sack him.

Mr Bush said he met with Mr Tenet at the White House last night.

“He told me that he was resigning for personal reasons. I told him I’m sorry he’s leaving. He has done a superb job,” Mr Bush said.

Bush said that deputy, John McLaughlin, will temporarily lead America’s premier spy agency until a successor is found.

Among possible successors is House Intelligence Committee Chairman Porter Goss, a former CIA agent and McLaughlin.