WASHINGTON (January 25, 2013)--President Barack Obama said Friday he's naming his longtime foreign policy adviser Denis McDonough to lead the White House staff.

Mr. Obama, who appeared with McDonough Friday at the White House, called the adviser "a great friend to me and everybody who works here at the White House."

McDonough is taking over the key West Wing role from Jack Lew, Mr. Obama's nominee for Treasury secretary.

McDonough has advised Mr. Obama on foreign policy for nearly a decade and most recently served as the president's deputy national security adviser.

He is highly regarded by White House staffers.