Top Iraq commander Petraeus to become regional chief (1st Lead)

Apr 23, 2008, 15:24 GMT

Washington - The top US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, has been named chief of US military operations in the Middle East, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates announced Wednesday.

If confirmed by the Senate, Petraeus, a four star general, will replace Admiral William Fallon, who stepped down in March as head of US Central Command.

Central Command, based in Tampa, Florida, oversees military operations in the Middle East and parts of Africa and South Asia, including Afghanistan.

Lieutenant General Ray Odierno will take command of US-led coalition forces in Iraq, Gates said.

Odierno served as Petraeus' deputy in Iraq until he returned to Washington about two months ago after President George W Bush nominated him to become vice chairman of the army. That nomination will be withdrawn, Gates said.

Petraeus has commanded coalition forces in Iraq for 15 months, leading President George W Bush's troop surge last year as part of a revised strategy that has dramatically reduced violence.

Gates said Petraeus will remain on the job in Iraq until late summer or early fall to ensure there is a smooth transition.

'One of the reasons for General Petraeus staying on for a while is to ensure there is plenty of time to prepare,' Gates said.

'This arrangement probably preserves the likelihood of continued momentum and progress,' Gates added.

Fallon resigned after making public comments about Iran seen as inconsistent with the White House policy of not ruling out the use of force to prevent the Islamic state from developing nuclear weapons.

Fallon has since retired from the military. Lieutenant General Martin Dempsey has been the interim chief of Central Command.