CIA chiefs launch vehement attack on Senate torture report

Six former CIA Directors and Deputy Directors have launched a scathing attack on the Senate, accusing it of 'cherry-picking' evidence for a report claiming agents tortured Al Qaeda suspects.

Branding the inquiry 'one-sided and error strewn', the ex-officials argued that the CIA's interrogation program in fact 'saved thousands of lives' by leading to the capture of senior Al Qaeda operatives.

Among the terrorists killed as a direct result of the controversial techniques, the former officials said, was Osama Bin Laden. This claim contradicts earlier statements that suggest 'enhanced interrogation techniques' had no role in tracking down the late Al Qaeda leader.

The rebuttal comes amid growing criticism of the report for downplaying the usefulness of the interrogation program, failing to interview any key CIA personnel, and claiming that the CIA mislead government officials about its actions.

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