US intelligence chief Dennis Blair quits 'with deep regret'

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- dEsPeraTe cRaNky -
WASHINGTON:

US spy czar Dennis Blair on Thursday announced he would quit, in the most high-profile exit yet from President Barack Obama's national security team, following a string of intelligence failures.

Blair's long-rumored departure was made public after he met Obama at the White House, in talks which triggered a high-level intelligence shake-up after several failed or thwarted attacks by extremists on US soil.

"It is with deep regret that I informed the president today that I will step down as director of national intelligence effective from Friday, May 28th," Blair said.

"I have had no greater honor or pleasure than to lead the remarkably talented and patriotic men and women of the Intelligence Community.

"Every day, you have worked tirelessly to provide intelligence support for two wars and to prevent an attack on our homeland.

"You are true heroes, just like the members of the Armed Forces, firefighters, and police whose job it is to keep our nation safe.

"Your work over the past 16 months has made the Intelligence Community more integrated, agile, and representative of American values."
 
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