This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21508476

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US general John Allen to retire, declining top Nato job US General John Allen to retire, declining top Nato job
(35 minutes later)
US general John Allen has decided to retire instead of taking the job of Nato's supreme commander in Europe, President Barack Obama has said. US General John Allen has decided to retire instead of taking the job of Nato's supreme commander in Europe, President Barack Obama has said.
In a statement, Mr Obama said he had accepted Gen Allen's request to retire from the military in order to "address health issues within his family".In a statement, Mr Obama said he had accepted Gen Allen's request to retire from the military in order to "address health issues within his family".
Gen Allen is the outgoing commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan.Gen Allen is the outgoing commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, he was cleared of misconduct in a scandal that brought down CIA director Gen David Petraeus.Earlier this year, he was cleared of misconduct in a scandal that brought down CIA director Gen David Petraeus.
'Complete confidence' 'True patriot'
President Obama said he had accepted Gen Allen's request after meeting him earlier on Tuesday.President Obama said he had accepted Gen Allen's request after meeting him earlier on Tuesday.
Gen Allen's nomination to head Nato in Europe had earlier been put on hold amid reports that he had sent inappropriate emails to a Florida socialite, in a scandal that brought down the head of the CIA. "I told General Allen that he has my deep, personal appreciation for his extraordinary service over the last 19 months in Afghanistan, as well as his decades of service in the United States Marine Corps," the statement said.
But allegations of professional misconduct were dismissed and the then Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said he had "complete confidence" in Gen Allen's leadership. It described the four-star general as "one of America's finest military leaders, a true patriot".
During his 19-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, Gen Allen managed the transfer of security across much of the country to the Afghan army and police. Gen Allen's nomination to head Nato in Europe had earlier been put on hold amid reports that he had sent inappropriate emails to a Florida socialite, in the scandal that forced Gen Petraeus to resign.
But allegations of professional misconduct were dismissed and the Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said he had "complete confidence" in Gen Allen's leadership.
During his tour of duty in Afghanistan, Gen Allen, 59, managed the transfer of security across much of the country to the Afghan army and police.
His successor is expected to the be last commander of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) and will oversee the withdrawal of most foreign troops from the country.His successor is expected to the be last commander of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) and will oversee the withdrawal of most foreign troops from the country.