WASHINGTON: Central Intelligence Agency chief Porter Goss abruptly resigned on Friday after less than two years on the job. President George W Bush thanked him for his candid advice during a time of transition.
Neither explained why Goss was leaving and no replacement was announced.
The CIA fell under a newly created director of national intelligence as part of reforms enacted after intelligence failures related to the September 11 attacks.
“He's led ably,” Bush said as he sat next to Goss in the Oval Office of the White House.
Goss said he believed the CIA was “on a very even keel, sailing well.”
Porter Goss, former director of the CIA with President George W. Bush.According to United States President George W. Bush, CIA director Porter Goss has resigned.

"He has led ably. He helped make this country a safer place. He has a five-year plan to increase the analysts and operatives. He honours the proud history of the CIA, an organization that is known for its secrecy and accountability. We've got to win the war on terror," said Bush in a press conference on Friday.

"I would like to report to you that the agency (CIA) is back on a very even keel and sailing well," said Goss.

The reasons for Goss's resignation are not yet known and as of the moment, the President has announced no replacement.

Goss was appointed as the CIA's director in 2004 and served as director for 19 months. He was previously an undercover agent for the organization and was also a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 16 years.