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 11 October 2008 21:49 BST

General Petraeus chosen to lead US Middle East command

Wednesday, 23 Apr 2008 19:56
General David Petraeus has been nominated to head forces in the Middle East

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General David Petraeus, the commander in charge of US troops in Iraq, has been nominated to become the next commander of the US Central Command.

A statement from the US department of defence today said that it was now up to the Senate to confirm Gen Petraeus in the new position.

The new role will see Gen Petraeus head US forces in the Middle East as well as overseeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If confirmed, the general will succeed Army Lieutenant General Martin Dempsey, who has been serving as acting commander since Navy Admiral William Fallon retired.

Defence secretary Robert Gates also announced today that Army General Raymond Odierno has been nominated to succeed Gen Petraeus as Commander of Multinational Force Iraq in Baghdad.

Gen Petraeus said in a statement from Baghdad: "I am honoured to be nominated for this position and to have an opportunity to continue to serve with America's soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians."

Gen Petraeus has received considerable media attention recently due to his visits to the US Senate where he has been giving evidence on the progress of the Iraq war.End of story


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