Porter Goss has stepped down as director of the Central Intelligence Agency plunging into uncertainty the world's biggest spy agency shaken by recent intelligence failures and internal turmoil.
Though no reasons were given for his resignation, which was announced by President George W Bush on Friday, sources said Goss' stepping down was a result of confrontation with National Intelligence Director John Negroponte.
"This morning, Director Porter Goss offered his resignation as director of the Central Intelligence Agency. I have accepted it," Bush said at the White House with Goss by his side.
A replacement to Goss is expected to be announced very soon. The names doing the rounds are either close to the White House or those serving Negroponte.
"The CIA," Goss said as he quit, "remains the gold standard. When I came to CIA in September of 2004, I wanted to accomplish some very specific things, and we have made great strides on all fronts."
Goss' exit from the top spy agency, plagued by infighting, is the third within the month in a major White House overhaul.
An intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Goss had stood up for the agency when there were differences with Negroponte's office, which was created about a year ago.
