CIA chief to be next US defence secretary: Report

Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta will become the new United States defence secretary, replacing Robert Gates, in a major shake-up of President Barack Obama's security team, according to a media report.

The top US military commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus is set to take over as the new CIA Director, ABC television reported.

The television network said Petraeus will be replaced as the US commander in Afghanistan by Lieutenant General 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 George W Bush's team, will step down soon.