US President Barack Obama has accepted the resignation of Director of the CIA, David Petraeus. Petraeus said in a statement that he had submitted a letter of resignation to Obama on Thursday, citing an extramarital affair as the reason.

Obama hailed Petraeus's "extraordinary service" to the country for decades. He said Petraeus had helped the US military adapt to new challenges and led the military through "a remarkable period of service" in Iraq and Afghanistan.