'CIA's Leon Panetta to replace Gates as Defence Secretary'

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CIA Director Leon Panetta will become the new US Defence Secretary replacing Robert Gates, in a major shake-up of President Barack Obama's security team.

The top US military commander in Afghanistan Gen David Petraeus is to takeover as the new CIA Director, ABC television reported.

The television network said Petraeus will be replaced as US commander in Afghanistan by Lt. Gen. John Allen, who is currently the deputy chief of the US Central Command. ABC also said that veteran diplomat Ryan Crocker would become the new US ambassador to Afghanistan in place of Karl Eikenberry.

Gates, who was the lone Secretary retained by Obama from the George W Bush's team, will step down soon.