Obama taps John Brennan to be next CIA director, White House officials say

Brennan, center, with former CIA director George Tenet and former Bush advisor Fran Townsend.

Jewel Samad / AFP

White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan's career includes a stint as CIA station chief in Saudi Arabia.

By Andrea Mitchell, NBC News

WASHINGTON -- Counterterrorism adviser John Brennan will be nominated as director of the Central Intelligence Agency by President Barack Obama, White House officials told NBC News on Monday.

Brennan worked at the CIA for 25 years, including a stint as station chief in Saudi Arabia. He also served as chief of staff to then CIA Director George Tenet from 1999 to 2001, when he was named the agency's deputy executive director.

Obama was expected to make the announcement on Monday.