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New head for US Central Command New head for US Central Command
(about 4 hours later)
US General David Petraeus is taking over as head of US Central Command. US General David Petraeus is to take control of US military operations throughout the Middle East and much of Asia as head of US Central Command.
He will have overall responsibility for military operations throughout the Middle East and much of Asia, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. His responsibilities include Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.
A change-of-command ceremony will be held at Central Command headquarters in Florida later.
Until recently, Gen Petraeus was commander of the US military in Iraq, and he was widely credited with the dramatic improvement in security there.Until recently, Gen Petraeus was commander of the US military in Iraq, and he was widely credited with the dramatic improvement in security there.
Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to dominate his agenda, says the BBC's defence correspondent Rob Watson. Defence Secretary Robert Gates is to preside at the change-of-command ceremony.
Iraq 'surge'
Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to dominate Gen Petraeus' agenda, says the BBC's defence correspondent Rob Watson.
In Iraq, Gen Petraeus will have to manage the eventual reduction of US forces, a process he has made clear that he does not favour rushing.In Iraq, Gen Petraeus will have to manage the eventual reduction of US forces, a process he has made clear that he does not favour rushing.
During his time there, Gen Petraeus implemented the "surge" plan, which saw nearly 30,000 US troops deployed to trouble spots in Iraq.
In a major change of strategy, coalition forces also moved out of large bases and into highly populated areas.
Since then, the security situation has improved markedly, with less violence and fewer deaths, and progress on both the political and economic fronts.
But he has said that security gains were "not irreversible" and that the US still faced a "long struggle".
Afghan review
On Afghanistan, he has already commissioned a major review of US strategy, which is expected to emphasise the need for a wider regional solution and more outreach to the Taleban.On Afghanistan, he has already commissioned a major review of US strategy, which is expected to emphasise the need for a wider regional solution and more outreach to the Taleban.
The extent of his future influence on US policy in the region will of course depend to some extent on who wins the presidential election, though both candidates are admirers, our correspondent says. The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, told the BBC's World Today that it was unlikely there would be talks between Gen Petraeus and the Taleban.
Whatever happens, the ambitious and reflective general, whose academic achievements rival his battlefield experience, is likely to remain a prominent and powerful figure, our correspondent adds. "We're not talking about the US talking to the Taleban. The issue is that both Afghanistan and Pakistan have policies on reconciliation and we have been, and continue to be, willing to support those policies."
He added: "Everybody's got a rumour about some commander who might be willing to lay down his arms and stop fighting.
"But none of that has ever materialised, because those guys just keep hijacking buses and chopping heads off."
The extent of Gen Petreaus' future influence on US policy in the region will of course depend to some extent on who wins the presidential election, though both candidates are admirers, our correspondent says.
Whatever happens, the ambitious and reflective general, whose academic achievements rival his battlefield experience, is likely to remain a prominent and powerful figure, our corresponent adds.