Pentagon names new top commander in Afghanistan

Source: Xinhua | 05-12-2009 09:48

WASHINGTON, May 11 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Defense Department Monday named a new top commander in Afghanistan as the country is looking at a new direction to fight against Taliban insurgency.

U.S. Army General David McKiernan, the  top U.S. and NATO Commander in  Afghanistan, is pictured in this May 8,  2009 photo during a visit with U.S.  Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to  the Forward Operating Base Airborne in  Wardak Province, Afghanistan.  (Xinhua Reuters Photo)

Defense Secretary Robert Gates told a press conference that he has asked for resignation of Army General David McKiernan, who was named to the post by the Bush administration less than a year ago.

The Pentagon chief also recommended Army Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal, a former special forces commander, to take the position that commands and monitors 45,000 U.S. troops and 32,000 other forces from other NATO countries now in Afghanistan.