Calls for CIA overhaul mount after Tenet quits

Democratic presidential contender John Kerry, who had already called for Tenet to stand down, said "We must reshape our intelligence community for the 21st century and create a new position of 'director of national intelligence' with real control of all intelligence personnel and budgets."

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Several leading dailies including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal on Friday called on President George W. Bush and the US Congress to plan a major reform for the Central Intellingece Agency. The Los Angeles Times recommended greater congressional oversight.

Tenet fought back tears Thursday as he bid farewell to staff at CIA headquarters, saying he was leaving to spend more time with his family.

Bush also insisted that the new blow to his administration -- as he seeks international support in Iraq and campaigns for re-election -- was a resignation prompted by "personal reasons".

Bush announced he had accepted Tenet's resignation at a hastily convened news conference just before he left for a major trip to Europe.

He said Tenet had announced the news at a White House meeting on Wednesday night.

"He told me he was resigning for personal reasons. I told him I'm sorry he's leaving. He's done a superb job on behalf of the American people," said Bush.