WASHINGTON (AP)

Retired Admiral Dennis Blair is Barack Obama's choice to be director of national intelligence.

Two Democratic officials said yesterday that the former head of United States Pacific Command was the president-elect's choice for the post.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made.

His nomination has been expected, unlike Obama's other intelligence choice of Leon Panetta to run the CIA.

Panetta is a former congressman and White House chief of staff who brings experience in management, but not an intelligence background, to the post.

Blair served in the Navy for 34 years and he was chief of the US Pacific Command during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

He is also a China expert and was an associate director for military support at the CIA.