WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said on Thursday that terrorism is the preeminent threat to the United States and that the war on terrorism is the first priority of the American intelligence community.

    "Terrorism is the preeminent threat to our citizens, homeland, interests, and friends," Negroponte told the Senate Intelligence Committee.

    Al Qaeda and its associated terror groups were the "top concern" of the U.S. intelligence community, he said in his annual threat assessment at a hearing on worldwide threats to the country.

    Negroponte, who oversees all U.S. intelligence activities, also defended the National Security Agency's warrantless domestic eavesdropping program, calling it crucial for protecting the nation against its most menacing threat.

    "This was not about domestic surveillance," he said.

    Also at the hearing, Central Intelligence Agency Director Porter Goss said leaks of classified programs such the domestic eavesdropping project had done damage to their work.

    "The damage has been very severe to our capabilities to carry out our mission," he said. Enditem