WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush on Thursday praised the US Senate for confirming Michael Hayden as the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
"I commend the Senate for confirming Michael Hayden as director of the Central Intelligence Agency by a bipartisan majority," the president said.
"General Hayden is a patriot and a dedicated public servant whose broad experience, dedication and expertise make him the right person to lead the CIA at this critical time," the president said.
Bush said Hayden is the best person to lead the troubled intelligence agency in the US "war on terror" and "as we continue to address the challenges and threats we face in the 21st century," Bush said.
Hayden, 61, was approved to run the embattled CIA by a vote of 78 to 15, despite questions raised during Senate hearings over his oversight of the National Security Agency`s controversial domestic wiretap program.
05/26/2006 14:36 GMT