US President George W Bush Friday tapped Army General David McKiernan as the new commander for Nato's international forces in Afghanistan. If confirmed by the US Senate, McKiernan would relieve General Dan McNeill, who has headed the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since February.
McKiernan is currently serving as the commanding general of the US Army Europe and the 7th Army, and the US Army, Nato, in Germany, according to the press statement from the US Defence Department.
Earlier this week, Bush approved the deployment of 3,200 Marines to Afghanistan to meet a shortfall that US officials say was caused by the reluctance of Nato allies to send more troops to the war-torn country. Bush approved the recommendation by Defence Secretary Robert Gates, who has been mulling sending more troops there ahead of a possible offensive by the Taliban on the southern part of the country. Nato commanders have requested an additional 7,500 soldiers.
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