U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to address the widening investigation that prompted the resignation of his intelligence chief, during his first news conference since winning re-election.

Former Central Intelligence Agency chief David Petraeus resigned last week after a federal probe uncovered evidence of an extramarital affair. The investigation also snared General John Allen, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Administration officials continue to voice confidence in Allen, but his nomination as NATO supreme commander has been put on hold.

Obama is also expected to discuss the nation’s budget crisis. The president and Congress have stepped up efforts to reach an agreement that would avoid the so-called fiscal cliff, $600 billion in automatic tax increases and spending cuts that are to take effect January 1.

The White House says Obama will propose $1.6 trillion in new tax revenues. The president may discuss the plan during a meeting with congressional leaders on Friday.

The president may also spell out some of his foreign-policy goals, before his trip next week to the Asia-Pacific region. He may also address Syria’s unrest and the investigation into the attack on the Benghazi consulate in Libya.

Source: VOA