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US Mid-East commander steps down US Mid-East commander steps down
(30 minutes later)
The commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, Admiral William Fallon, is to retire from his post early.The commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, Admiral William Fallon, is to retire from his post early.
He cited the "embarrassing situation and public perception of differences between my views and administration policy" as the reason for retiring.He cited the "embarrassing situation and public perception of differences between my views and administration policy" as the reason for retiring.
He was the subject of a recent article by Esquire magazine, which said he was opposed to the use of force against Iran over its nuclear programme.He was the subject of a recent article by Esquire magazine, which said he was opposed to the use of force against Iran over its nuclear programme.
The 63-year-old admiral became head of the US Central Command a year ago.The 63-year-old admiral became head of the US Central Command a year ago.
'No policy differences''No policy differences'
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the decision to take early retirement was entirely Adm Fallon's, added that he agreed it was the right thing to do.US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the decision to take early retirement was entirely Adm Fallon's, added that he agreed it was the right thing to do.
"I have approved Admiral Fallon's request to retire with reluctance and regret," he told reporters at the Pentagon, adding that he would be sorely missed."I have approved Admiral Fallon's request to retire with reluctance and regret," he told reporters at the Pentagon, adding that he would be sorely missed.
I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command Adm William Fallon Profile: William FallonI don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command Adm William Fallon Profile: William Fallon
President George W Bush said the admiral deserved "considerable credit for progress that has been made... in Iraq and Afghanistan".President George W Bush said the admiral deserved "considerable credit for progress that has been made... in Iraq and Afghanistan".
The Esquire article suggested Adm Fallon was standing up to a president supposedly contemplating war with Iran.The Esquire article suggested Adm Fallon was standing up to a president supposedly contemplating war with Iran.
He is described in the article as "the strongest man standing between the Bush Administration and a war with Iran".He is described in the article as "the strongest man standing between the Bush Administration and a war with Iran".
Mr Gates said the idea that Adm Fallon's departure indicated that the US was planning to go to war with Iran was "ridiculous".Mr Gates said the idea that Adm Fallon's departure indicated that the US was planning to go to war with Iran was "ridiculous".
He said "there is a misperception" that the admiral disagreed with the Bush administration's policies towards Iran. "I don't think there were differences at all," Mr Gates said.He said "there is a misperception" that the admiral disagreed with the Bush administration's policies towards Iran. "I don't think there were differences at all," Mr Gates said.
The Bush administration's official policy towards Iran is to use diplomatic and economic pressures to resolve differences while retaining the possibility of military options.The Bush administration's official policy towards Iran is to use diplomatic and economic pressures to resolve differences while retaining the possibility of military options.
The US and other Western nations suspect Iran is using its nuclear programme to develop atomic weapons - a charge Tehran denies.The US and other Western nations suspect Iran is using its nuclear programme to develop atomic weapons - a charge Tehran denies.
In a statement released through Central Command's Florida headquarters, Adm Fallon said: "I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command.In a statement released through Central Command's Florida headquarters, Adm Fallon said: "I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command.
"The simple perception that there is makes it difficult for me to effectively serve America's interests there.""The simple perception that there is makes it difficult for me to effectively serve America's interests there."
Central Command covers an area from the Horn of Africa into Central Asia and includes responsibility for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.Central Command covers an area from the Horn of Africa into Central Asia and includes responsibility for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.


What do you think of Admiral Fallon's decision to take early retirement? Should he have stepped down if there has been a misperception about his views on Iran? How will it affect US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan? Send us your comments using the form below.What do you think of Admiral Fallon's decision to take early retirement? Should he have stepped down if there has been a misperception about his views on Iran? How will it affect US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan? Send us your comments using the form below.
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