Chief US spymaster David Petraeus, who gained international notoriety as military commander in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has resigned over an extramarital affair, bringing an abrupt and ignominious end to a government career.
Chief US spymaster David Petraeus, who gained international notoriety as military commander in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has resigned over an extramarital affair, bringing an abrupt and ignominious end to a government career.
The revelation shocked Washington as it came just three days after the re-election of US President Barack Obama and shortly before CIA Director Petraeus had been due to testify on the agency's alleged failure to properly protect a US consulate in Libya.
Neither Petraeus nor the CIA explained exactly why he felt he had to step down over the affair, and whether his liaison presented a purely personal problem or raised security issues in his sensitive work as spy chief.
The affair came to light as the FBI was investigating whether a computer used by Petraeus had been compromised, the New York Times and other US media reported, citing government officials.
NBC News and other media reported the Federal Bureau of Investigation was investigating Paula Broadwell, who published a favorable biography of Petraeus, "All In: The Education of David Petraeus," for possible improper access to classified information.
Michael Morell, Petraeus' deputy at the country's lead spy agency, will serve as acting director and will be appearing at the hearing instead.
As the White House faced an unexpected vacancy at the top of the spy agency, speculation on a possible successor focused on John Brennan, the White House counter-terrorism adviser and CIA veteran who played an instrumental role in Obama's drone war against Al-Qaeda militants.
The most celebrated military officer of his generation, Petraeus, 60, took over at the CIA just over a year ago after retiring as a four-star general.
After accepting the CIA chief's resignation, Obama hailed his "extraordinary service."
Petraeus has long been suspected of harboring political ambitions but he has repeatedly fended off questions about a possible White House run.
