PM Extends Mossad Chief's Term Of Office

(AFP)--Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended by a year the term of office of the head of the Mossad spy agency, whose main task has been to thwart Iran's nuclear drive, army radio said Friday. Reserve General Meir Dagan has headed the foreign intelligence service since 2002 and played a central role in efforts to counter Iran's nuclear program. Dagan was a political adviser to former premier Ariel Sharon and anti- terrorism adviser during Netanyahu's first term of office from 1996 to 1999. Dagan's tenure had already been extended last year until the end of 2009, and he will now remain as Mossad chief until the end of 2010