US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday picked General David Petraeus, widely praised as the top commander in Iraq, to lead all Middle East operations, including the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Gates also chose Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno, who recently served as Petraeus' No 2, to take over as the top commander in Iraq.
Gates said Petraeus, who has overseen a military strategy credited with a dramatic reduction in violence in Iraq, was the most qualified general to lead US Central Command and manage counterinsurgency operations in both wars.
"I recommended him to the president because I am absolutely confident he is the best man for the job," Gates said. Gates said Petraeus has the ability to take on non-traditional threats, such as insurgencies, Islamic extremism and state-sponsored terrorism, that arise in the Central Command region.
"I don't know anybody in the United States military better qualified to lead that effort," Gates said. The Pentagon chief said President George W. Bush had approved both recommendations and would send the nominations to the US Senate.
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