WASHINGTON, May 3 (Xinhuanet) -- US national security adviser Stephen Hadley appointed William Luti on Tuesday as Special Assistant to the President and senior director for Defense Policy and Strategy, the White House said in a statement.

    "Most recently, Dr. Luti served as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs. Prior to joining the Defense Department, Dr. Luti served as a Special Advisor for National Security Affairs to Vice President Dick Cheney," the statement said.

    Luti previously served for 26 years as a naval officer "in a wide variety of operational and policy positions including command of an aviation squadron, an amphibious assault ship and an amphibious ready group," the statement added. Enditem