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Bush 'to replace top US generals' Bush revamps US military in Iraq
(about 6 hours later)
President George W Bush is to change his military operations chief for Iraq and Afghanistan, US media reports say. President George W Bush is to make a number of key changes in the US military leadership as part of his fresh strategy for Iraq, officials say.
Adm William Fallon will replace Gen John Abizaid as head of US Central Command and there will be a new ground commander in Iraq, ABC News reported. There will be a new head of US Central Command and a new ground commander.
It also said that US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad is to replace John Bolton as US ambassador to the UN. Mr Bush is expected to deliver a speech next week unveiling a strategy that could include thousands more US troops.
The reports come days before Mr Bush unveils a new strategy for Iraq that could include thousands more US troops. It comes as control of the US Congress passed for the first time in 12 years to the Democrats, who want to apply pressure for a phased withdrawal.
The Pentagon has declined to comment on the reports. The White House and Pentagon have not confirmed the changes but US media and administration officials have said they will be:
New troops
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  • Adm William Fallon to replace Gen John Abizaid as head of Central Command for Iraq and Afghanistan
Adm Fallon is the top military commander in the Pacific.
  • Lt Gen David Petraeus to take over from Gen George Casey as the leading ground commander in Iraq
    • If confirmed, the move would put an admiral in charge of two land wars.
  • US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad to replace John Bolton as US ambassador to the UN
    • ABC said Lt Gen David Petraeus was expected to replace Gen George Casey as the leading ground commander in Iraq.
  • Ryan Crocker, US ambassador to Pakistan, to replace Mr Khalilzad in Baghdad
  • John Negroponte to move from director of national intelligence to deputy secretary of state
  • Retired vice admiral and intelligence official Michael McConnell to replace Mr Negroponte.
    • Adm Fallon is currently the top military commander in the Pacific and, if confirmed, the move will put a navy man in charge of two land wars.
    Leading Democrat Senator Daniel Inouye said Adm Fallon was "well-educated and respected" and that his nomination would "go flying through" Congress.
    The BBC's Sarah Morris in Washington says the new strategy could include a deployment of 20,000 fresh troops to be stationed mostly in and around Baghdad with the intention of disarming the militia groups there.
    Saddam 'investigation'
    In a teleconference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Thursday Mr Bush agreed there should be "sufficient" security forces in Baghdad, the White House said.In a teleconference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Thursday Mr Bush agreed there should be "sufficient" security forces in Baghdad, the White House said.
    The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says there could be perhaps as many as 18,000 extra troops, a policy that is likely to bring gasps of disbelief from many of the president's supporters. Nancy Pelosi said the US wanted a new direction in Iraq
    The Democrats, newly installed in power in both houses of Congress, will not be supportive, our correspondent says. Mr Bush said: "One thing is for certain: I will want to make sure that the mission is clear and specific and can be accomplished."
    Mr Bush's new approach is expected to be laid out in a speech as early as the middle of next week. The president also said he wished the execution of ex-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had been more dignified and that there should be a "full investigation".
    However, he said Saddam Hussein had been given justice that "the thousands of people he killed had not".
    Mr Bush said he would outline his new strategy "sometime next week".
    However, the Democrats, newly installed in power in both houses of Congress, are unlikely to support large-scale troop increases, correspondents say.
    New House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, said the American public had voted for a change of direction.
    "The American people rejected an open-ended obligation to a war without end," she said.
    Iraqis should do more to defend themselves, she said, calling on President Bush to promote stability and plan a redeployment of US troops there.
    A senior White House official said Mr Bush might make the official announcement on Mr Khalilzad as early as Friday.A senior White House official said Mr Bush might make the official announcement on Mr Khalilzad as early as Friday.
    Mr Khalilzad would have to be confirmed by the Senate, but analysts say he has maintained good relations with the Democrats.Mr Khalilzad would have to be confirmed by the Senate, but analysts say he has maintained good relations with the Democrats.
    Reports say Ryan Crocker, US ambassador to Pakistan, may replace Mr Khalilzad in Baghdad.
    John Negroponte is set to move from director of national intelligence to deputy secretary of state.
    Retired vice admiral and intelligence official Michael McConnell is expected to replace Mr Negroponte.