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Pompeo confirmed, sworn in as head of CIA

The Senate on Monday confirmed Rep. Mike Pompeo to be director of the CIA, following a spirited debate in which Democrats expressed concern about his stances on domestic surveillance, data collection and torture.

The vote was 66 to 32, with a majority of Democrats voting no — as well as Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.

Pompeo was subsequently sworn in.

“The president and I are confident in your abilities and know you will rise to the challenge to lead the Central Intelligence Agency," Vice President Mike Pence said at the swearing-in.

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Trump election: Mike Pompeo - America's likely new spymaster

The United States' likely new spymaster, Mike Pompeo, is a hardline Republican Congressman with a background in military and intelligence affairs.

Mr Pompeo was offered the job of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director even though he backed US President-elect Donald Trump's rival, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, in the party's presidential primary race.

He switched his allegiance once Mr Trump began to look unstoppable, though after a 2005 tape emerged of the businessman boasting of groping women, Mr Pompeo called the comments "horrible, offensive and indefensible".

The 52-year-old is close to Mr Trump's running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, and helped prepare him for his televised vice-presidential debate.

Mr Pompeo said in a statement he was "honoured and humbled" to accept the nomination, but that it was a "difficult decision".

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Former parliament speaker to head Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service

Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Sergey Naryshkin, the speaker of the outgoing State Duma (lower house of parliament) to lead the foreign intelligence service SVR. The question was discussed at Putin’s meeting with Naryshkin and current SVR Director Mikhail Fradkov on Thursday.

"At a meeting with Naryshkin and Fradkov Putin asked Naryshkin to lead the SVR," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.