Gen. David H. Petraeus has resigned his position as director of the Central Intelligence Agency in a letter to President Barack Obama dated Friday.
In the letter, Petraeus writes that he engaged in an extramarital affair after 37 years of marriage.
The full letter from Petraeus:
CIA Director David Petraeus submitted his resignation to President Barack Obama citing personal reasons, a U.S. government source tells CNN Intelligence Correspondent Suzanne Kelly. The source said Petreaus admitted to an extra-marital fair and that is why he is resigning.
White House press secretary Jay Carney said he had no information on the resignation of Gen. David H. Petraeus as director of the CIA Friday. Earlier in the press briefing, Carney said he had no personnel announcements when asked about Petraeus' future in the administration.
Carney declined to answer whether the White House requested Petraeus to resign.
Here is the full text of Petraeus' letter:
Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal reasons, to resign from my position as D/CIA. After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours. This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my resignation.
As I depart Langley, I want you to know that it has been the greatest of privileges to have served with you, the officers of our Nation’s Silent Service, a work force that is truly exceptional in every regard. Indeed, you did extraordinary work on a host of critical missions during my time as director, and I am deeply grateful to you for that.
Teddy Roosevelt once observed that life’s greatest gift is the opportunity to work hard at work worth doing. I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end.
Thank you for your extraordinary service to our country, and best wishes for continued success in the important endeavors that lie ahead for our country and our Agency.
With admiration and appreciation,
David H. Petraeus