国际英语新闻：U.S. national security adviser stepping down later this month

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday that his National Security Adviser James Jones will step down by the end of this month.

Jones will be replaced by his deputy Tom Donilon, said Obama. He thanked Jones for his services, and praised him for his work.

Jones has spent over 40 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring in 2007 as a general. He has kept a low profile during his tenure as Obama's top security adviser. Administration officials were quoted as saying that he is likely to go into semi- retirement after the exit from the White House job.

Donilon, who will replace Jones, had a career as a political adviser, government official and lawyer. He worked on the State Department section of the transition when Obama came to office. Obama said Donilon has "a wealth of experience that will suit him well" on the new job.

Obama said the United States faces huge challenges in the security front such as the threat of terrorism, adding that the national security team will also be working to strengthen U.S. leadership.

The White House has seen a series of high-profile personnel changes in recent days, including the departure of former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and chief economic adviser Lawrence Summers.