U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday presided over a ceremony that saw David Petraeus sworn in as the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The ceremony took place in the White House Roosevelt Room, and Petraeus, who retired from the military last week, wore a suit instead of his usual Army uniform.

"The president wants him on the job," Biden said of the short ceremony, during which Petraeus thanked President Barack Obama "for his confidence in an old soldier."

The ceremony was attended by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and John Brennan, the top White House anti-terrorism advisor.

Petraeus served as commander of U.S. forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was the mastermind of the counterinsurgency strategy adopted in both wars.

Last week, on the occasion of his military retirement, Obama called Petraeus to congratulate him "on an historic career of service in the United States Army, including extraordinary contributions to our national security in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The president also welcome his "continued commitment to public service as he prepares to take on his new role as CIA chief, according to the White House.