WASHINGTON, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The White House has agreed to let a special court review the legality of its controversial domestic spying program, CNN Television reported Thursday.

    U.S. President George W. Bush has promised to sign a law that would authorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to review the constitutionality of the wire tapping and e-mail interception program of the National Security Agency (NSA), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter was quoted as saying.

    It was the result of lengthy negotiations with the White House since June, he said.

    "That is the president's commitment," Specter noted, though he said the court review under the new law will be an option for Bush rather than a requirement.

    The move was confirmed by U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who said the law will also allow Bush to "gather up information to protect the country."

    U.S. media disclosed in December that shortly after Sept. 11 terror attacks in 2001, Bush secretly authorized the NSA to spy on the international phone calls and e-mails of residents of the United States.

    The fact that the president authorized the actions without a court warrant has sparked outrage among Democrats and civil liberties advocates who said Bush overstepped his authority as president. Enditem