NSA's mass surveillance programme in interest of US citizens, says ex-director

Recently retired director of the National Security Agency General Keith Alexander has defended the mass surveillance programme under the government intelligence agency.

The four-star general, who retired last month, touched on a wide range of subjects in an interview published by the Australian Financial Review.

Alexander also spoke about the NSA's role in protecting US citizens, and the impact Huawei could have on the US if its equipment is allowed into the country, CNET reports.

According to the report, Alexander came under fire as head of the agency after whistle-blower Edward Snowden leaked secret documents that revealed the NSA mass surveillance programme.

Speaking on the mass spying of US citizens, Alexaner just said the government agency was working in the best interest of the US citizen.

He added that the NSA was working in defense of the US, its allies, and its forces abroad while also protecting the country's civil liberties and privacy under the most comprehensive intelligence oversight regime in the world, the report said.

During the interview, Alexander also briefly touched on Stuxnet and Chinese telecom equipment firm Huawei.