US Senate Intelligence Committee backs Petraeus

The United States' Senate Intelligence Committee yesterday unanimously backed General David Petraeus to be the new director of the CIA, voting to send his nomination to the full Senate for consideration.

Petraeus, commander of US forces in Afghanistan, was nominated by President Barack Obama to replace Leon Panetta, who became Pentagon chief.

The Senate is expected to vote on Petraeus' nomination later this week. If confirmed, he would start the new job in September.