US President George W. Bush on Friday signed into law the biggest US intelligence overhaul in more than 50 years, including the creation of a new national intelligence chief to oversee the country's spy network.

The sweeping overhaul was proposed by the commission investigating the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in order to enhance intelligence collection and to strengthen homeland security.

"Our vast intelligence enterprise will become more unified, coordinated and effective," Bush said at a White House signing ceremony.

"It will enable us to better do our duty, which is to protect the American people," he added.

The legislation will also create a new national intelligence director to take charge of the country's 15 spy agencies, establish a counterterrorism center and stipulate measures to tighten the country's borders.

It marked the biggest overhaul of US intelligence since the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency after World War II.

The 9/11 commission found that the lack of coordination between intelligence agencies led to the failure to prevent the terrorist attack more than three years ago.

A handful of Republicans in the House of Representatives blocked a final vote on the legislation last month, expressing concerns over possible loss of control over military intelligence agencies by the Pentagon. Compromise was reached after increasing pressure from families of Sept. 11 victims and from the White House.

Source: Xinhua