Petraeus Sworn In As New CIA Chief

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (right) swears-in David Petraeus as the new CIA chief at the White House in Washington, DC.

Newly retired General David Petraeus has been sworn in as director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Petraeus, who took the oath of office at a White House ceremony led by Vice President Joe Biden on September 6, said he was offered a "truly extraordinary" opportunity to continue the fight against terrorism and extremism.

President Barack Obama enlisted Petraeus to take over at the CIA as part of a major reshuffle of his national security team that included Leon Panetta moving from CIA head to Defense Secretary as successor to the retiring Robert Gates.

Petraeus, 58, is credited with helping to turn around the Iraq War, and also set in motion Obama's revamped strategy in Afghanistan aimed at halting the momentum of the Taliban insurgency.

compiled from agency reports