John Brennan to take over as new CIA chief
09 Mar 2013
The US Senate has approved the nomination of John Brennan as the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Brennan's nomination was approved by 63 to 34 on Friday in a delayed voting after Republican Senator Rand Paul of Connecticut sought more information on the government's drone policy.
Brennan is currently counter-terrorism adviser to President Barack Obama.
As the director of CIA, Brennan's responsibilities would include overseeing plans to protect the country from terrorism and respond to natural
disasters, and report to the President daily.
Previously, he advised Obama on foreign policy and intelligence issues during the 2008 presidential campaign and transition.
Brennan withdrew his name from consideration for director of the CIAn the first Obama administration over concerns about his support for the use of torture by the CIA under President George W Bush. Instead, Brennan was appointed deputy national security advisor, a position which did not require Senate confirmation.
