Gen Allen to leave Afghanistan in February: Pentagon

English: General John R. Allen, USMC Commander, International Security Assistance Force and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Washington (PAN): General John Allen, Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan will be replaced by General Joseph Dunford in next month, a Pentagon spokesman said on Wednesday.
“I do not have a precise date. I think it is going to be sometime in February,” the Pentagon Press Secretary, George Little, told reporters during an off camera news conference.

Allen is to be replaced in February by General Joseph F Dunford Jr, who has already been confirmed by the United States Senate.

However, the Pentagon official denied reports that the change in command in Afghanistan has anything to do with the investigations against Gen Allen over a series of e-mails he exchanged with a socialite Jill Kelley.

“It was always the plan to have change in command in Afghanistan in early 2013 and the Pentagon will stick to that plan,” Little said.

Last year Obama had nominated Gen Allen as the NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. However, his nomination has been delayed until the Pentagon investigation concludes.

General Allen assumed the responsibilities of the On July 18, 2011, assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on July 18, 2011. He succeeded David Petraeus, who was appointed as the CIA Director. Petraeus later resigned as CIA Director citing extra marital affairs.

from Pajhwok
By Lalit J Kha Jan 3, 2013 - 10:54

Posted in: Afghanistan, International Security Assistance Force, John R. Allen, NATO, Pentagon