U.S. President Barack Obama announced Thursday that he is seeking a two-year extension for the term of FBI Director Robert Mueller which expires in September.

"Given the ongoing threats facing the United States, as well as the leadership transitions at other agencies like the Defense Department and Central Intelligence Agency, I believe continuity and stability at the FBI is critical at this time," the White House quoted the president as saying.

Mueller was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush as FBI Director and sworn in just one week before the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. His term is set to expire on Sept. 4 this year under a law that caps the service of FBI directors at 10 years.

Obama has already announced a major reshuffling of his national security team. Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Leon Panetta was nominated to succeed Robert Gates as the next Defense Secretary, while David Petraeus, Commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, was tapped to head the CIA after Panetta's departure.

Obama asked Democrats and Republicans in Congress to "join together in extending that leadership for the sake of our nation's safety and security."