Gen Petraeus picked to lead Iraq and Afghan wars

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates named his top commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, on Wednesday to lead U.S. Central Command, responsible for all Middle East operations, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Gates said Petraeus, who has overseen a military strategy widely credited with a dramatic reduction in violence in Iraq, was the most qualified U.S. officer to manage counterinsurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I recommended him to the president because I am absolutely confident he is the best man for the job," Gates said.

Gates said many security challenges in the Central Command area of responsibility are characterized by the type of nontraditional threat Petraeus is skilled at tackling.

"I don't know anybody in the United States military better qualified to led that effort," Gates said.

The Pentagon chief said President George W. Bush had approved his recommendation and would send the nomination to the U.S. Senate.

Gates also named Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, recently the No. 2 commander in Iraq, to replace Petraeus as top commander in that war.
Reuters