general

He said his job is now "to steer the ship" – and begin the search for the next director general.

Shah said he "applauded" Turness for doing the "honourable and proper" thing and stepping down as CEO of News, but said he did not think "that meant that the director general had also to resign".

Among the general's criticisms of the US proposal were claims that it "eliminates the armed forces, dissolves security agencies and keeps the militias where they are" without disarming them.

"The board wished that the director general had not resigned. He had our full confidence throughout," he said.

The attorney general’s office didn’t immediately respond to calls seeking comment.