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Bush revamps US military in Iraq Bush revamps US military in Iraq
(about 2 hours later)
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.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.
There will be a new head of US Central Command and a new ground commander.There will be a new head of US Central Command and a new ground commander.
Mr Bush is expected to deliver a speech next week unveiling a strategy that could include thousands more US troops.Mr Bush is expected to deliver a speech next week unveiling a strategy 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. 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 Iraq withdrawal.
The White House and Pentagon have not confirmed the changes but US media and administration officials have said they will be:The White House and Pentagon have not confirmed the changes but US media and administration officials have said they will be:
  • Adm William Fallon to replace Gen John Abizaid as head of Central Command for Iraq and Afghanistan
  • Adm William Fallon to replace Gen John Abizaid as head of Central Command for Iraq and Afghanistan
  • Lt Gen David Petraeus to take over from Gen George Casey as the leading ground commander in Iraq
  • Lt Gen David Petraeus to take over from Gen George Casey as the leading ground commander in Iraq
  • US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad to replace John Bolton as US ambassador to the UN
  • US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad to replace John Bolton as US ambassador to the UN
  • Ryan Crocker, US ambassador to Pakistan, to replace Mr Khalilzad in Baghdad
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.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.Leading Democrat Senator Daniel Inouye said Adm Fallon was "well-educated and respected" and that his nomination would "go flying through" Congress.
    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.
    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.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' 'Responsible redeployment'
    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. Correspondents say the Democrats, newly installed in power in both houses of Congress, will not be supportive of the strategy.
    And the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, called for a plan to start a troop pull-out.
    Nancy Pelosi said the US wanted a new direction in IraqNancy Pelosi said the US wanted a new direction in Iraq
    "It is the responsibility of the president to articulate a new plan for Iraq that makes it clear to the Iraqis that they must defend their own streets - a plan that promotes stability in the region and a plan that allows us to responsibly redeploy our troops," she said in her inaugural address.
    The American people had rejected an open-ended obligation to a war without end, she said.
    The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says Mrs Pelosi's views appear to represent a growing consensus among Democrats that the US should start scaling down its commitment in Iraq.
    But there is no sign that the president will be talking about troop withdrawals, our correspondent says.
    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.
    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 said: "One thing is for certain: I will want to make sure that the mission is clear and specific and can be accomplished."
    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".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".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.
    Mr Khalilzad would have to be confirmed by the Senate, but analysts say he has maintained good relations with the Democrats.