U.S. central command confirms commander´s departure

Source: Xinhuanet | 12-21-2006 15:13

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. central command confirmed on Wednesday that its commander, Gen. John Abizaid, will retire early next year as the top U.S. military leader in the Middle East.

Maj. Matt McLaughlin, a spokesman for the command, told ABC News that Abizaid intended to leave in "early 2007."

Gen. John Abizaid (Xinhua/AFP File Photo)

"In the spring of 2006, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld asked Gen. Abizaid to remain as the commander of U.S. Central Command until early in 2007. He does not intend to extend beyond that period," he said.

Other sources said the general intends to leave in March.

One of the few senior U.S. military officers who is fluent in Arabic, Abizaid earned a reputation for candor.

In August, he warned about the dangers of civil war in Iraq. More recently, he spoke skeptically about the idea of sending more U.S. troops into Iraq.

Although he has served longer than any of his predecessors, Abizaid had planned to stay on a bit longer, military officials said.

Before Abizaid submitted his resignation, he had been expected to remain in the post until next summer.

Possible replacements for Abizaid include Navy Adm. William "Fox" Fallon, Air Force Gen. Michael "Buzz" Moseley, and Army Gen. David Petreaus.

U.S. media said Abizaid's planned departure clears the way for new defense secretary Robert Gates to bring in his own commander, which Pentagon officials believe is a choice between generals who back Abizaid's drive to transfer security responsibilities to the Iraqi authorities and those arguing for a more aggressive U.S.-led counterinsurgency campaign.

Editor:Du Xiaodan