Bush swears in new CIA director

President Bush said Gen Hayden was a "patriot"

US President George W Bush has formally sworn in General Michael Hayden as the new head of the CIA.

Mr Bush described Gen Hayden, 61, as a patriot, calling him "one of our nation's finest intelligence professionals".

The ceremony took place at the American spy agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginia.

Gen Hayden replaces Porter Goss, who resigned unexpectedly in early May after less than two years in the job.

"He is going to be a superb leader for the dedicated men and women of the CIA," Mr Bush told agency employees during the swearing in ceremony.

"I'm confident that, under Mike's leadership, the CIA will help us stay ahead of America's enemies and win the war on terror," Mr Bush said.

On Tuesday, Gen Hayden took the official oath in front of his former boss, national intelligence director John Negroponte.

He spoke to CIA staff for an hour, emphasising the need for the CIA to make sure it was "competent" and "co-operative", a CIA spokeswoman said.

Last week, the US Senate confirmed Gen Hayden's appointment by 78 votes to 15, in what correspondents say has been a quick and easy process.

Critics had questioned putting a military man in charge of the civilian agency, but Gen Hayden says that he will remain independent of the Pentagon.