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Jun 5, 2010
Obama to name new spy chief

WASHINGTON - PRESIDENT Barack Obama has chosen a US intelligence veteran, retired general James Clapper, as his new director of national intelligence, several sources told AFP Friday. Mr Clapper, whose nomination comes at a time of mounting domestic security threats, would replace Dennis Blair, who stepped down late last month amid heavy criticism after a string of botched security failures. 'Clapper will be named,' an intelligence source told AFP, asking not to be identified.

An administration official also told AFP that he could confirm Mr Clapper would be picked for the post. Adm Blair stepped down after criticism that the spy apparatus he oversaw did not do enough to thwart planned attacks including one by an Al-Qaeda linked group to bring down a US airliner on Dec 25. Mr Obama is expected to announce his nomination of Mr Clapper - currently the undersecretary of defence for intelligence - during a Saturday ceremony at the White House, said a third source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity. -- AFP