Gen. Stanley McChrystal disimissed
The top US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, has been dismissed by President Barack Obama after critical comments about senior US officials in a magazine.{{more}}
He will be replaced by Gen David Petraeus, who led the âsurgeâ strategy in Iraq.
Mr Obama insisted it was âa change in personnel but not a change in policyâ.
Gen McChrystal said in a statement he had resigned out of a âdesire to see the mission succeedâ.
The announcement that Gen McChrystal was standing down came after he had met Mr Obama at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the content of the Rolling Stone magazine article.
Mr Obama said he had made the decision to replace Gen McChrystal âwith considerable regretâ but added that he had failed to âmeet the standard that should be set by a commanding generalâ.
âI believe it is the right decision for our national security,â Mr Obama said.