General David Richards, who has suggested coalition forces in Afghanistan could open talks soon with the Taliban, is to take over as Britain's top military commander, the government said on Wednesday. Richards, 58, will become chief of the defence staff in October after the new coalition government completes a sweeping defence review.
Richards, who replaces Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup, takes over when public pressure is growing for Britain to withdraw its 9,500 troops from Afghanistan after nine years of conflict that have killed 318 British soldiers.