Deputy head of Mossad has resigned, provoking an internal strife in the Israel intelligence agency over the extension of the mandate of spy chief Meir Dagan.

A statement from the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Sunday that deputy head requested to "conclude his duties and leave office in the near future".

"Deputy head of the Mossad resigns, slamming the door behind him," Israeli daily Maariv reported on Monday.

According to the daily, it was the third time that Dagan has been required to look for a new deputy.

Another former deputy head of Mossad, Hagai Hadas also left the shadowy organization in 2006 after clashes with Dagan.

The extension of Dagan's mandate drew criticism from several ministers who demanded that the extension be the last. Dagan, a former commando and retired general who took office in 2002, will run the intelligence agency by 2010.

SB/MD