WASHINGTON (August 24, 2009)--President Barack Obama has approved the creation of a new interrogation unit that the White House will supervise.

During the Bush administration, the CIA had the lead role and sometimes the exclusive role in questioning al-Qaeda suspects.

The White House says the CIA will still be involved, as will other agencies.

The unit is to be based at FBI headquarters in Washington and led by an FBI official.

In an effort to end a debate over interrogation methods, senior administration officials say all U.S. interrogators will be required to follow the rules laid out by the Army Field Manual.

The manual prohibits forcing detainees to be naked, threatening them with military dogs, exposing them to extreme heat or cold, conducting mock executions, depriving them of food, water or medical care, and water-boarding.

The officials also say that when terrorism suspects are transferred to other countries, the U.S. will work harder to ensure they are not tortured.