CIA Director Quits

Petraeus cites extramarital affair in resignation letter presented to president

Gen. David Petraeus, the CIA director who prior to his appointment successfully commanded U.S. and NATO military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, resigned Friday afternoon, citing his having had an extramarital affair.

The president has accepted his resignation, detailed in a letter obtained by MSNBC. The president did not ask Petraeus, who has been married to wife, Holly, for more than 37 years, to step down, MSNBC reported.

No mention was made about the Sept. 11, 2012, deaths of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans in Benghazi, Libya, which took place while he led the CIA. The Obama administration has faced criticism about what did it know and when when it comes to who and what led to the deadly attack.

[ALSO READ: Request for Extra Security Before Benghazi Attack]

The deputy CIA director will likely take Petraeus's place until a permanent appointment is made.

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