Townsend resigns as Bush security adviser

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Fran Townsend is resigning as assistant to the president for U.S. Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, the White House announced Monday.

Townsend, a former federal and New York prosecutor, has served as assistant to President George W. Bush for more than four years, the White House said.

"Fran has always provided wise counsel on how to best protect the American people from the threat of terrorism," Bush said in a statement.

There was no word on why Townsend was resigning or who would succeed her.