The director of the U.S. National Counterrorism Center is leaving his post after four years on the job.

Officials said Thursday that National Counterterrorism Center Director Mike Leiter is resigning. He is expected to step down in July.

Leiter rarely played a public role in the war on terror during his tenure running the agency, but President Barack Obama praised what he called Leiter's “unwavering determination.”

Mr. Obama said Leiter put the country in a stronger position to confront terrorists threats at home and abroad.

Obama administration officials also said Leiter had played a key role in crafting a new counterterrorism strategy. They said the new strategy calls for a broad campaign against al-Qaida and other extremist groups.

Officials said the new strategy likely will be introduced in the coming months.

The National Counterterrorism Center is charged with collecting and analyzing intelligence on terrorist groups threatening Americans in the United States and around the world.