World

US Commander in Afghan war to be Replaced

by 158 | May 11, 2009 at 08:30 am

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CNN reports that defense

secretary Robert Gates will

replace commanding general

David McKiernan with general

Stanley McCrystal, to be announced at

a 2:00 pm EDT time news conference.

Top US commander Gen. David McKiernan says the mission in Afghanistan is likely to fail if militants continue to gain power in Pakistan.

During his 40-minute briefing, the commander of the US forces in Afghanistan said, "Can you get to the right end-state in Afghanistan if you have a deteriorating or failed state in Pakistan? The answer is probably no."

The remarks came as US Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, visited troops in Kabul to see "what they need to prevent militants from crossing into Afghanistan from Pakistan."

Defense secretary Gates has confirmed these reports and the change is being made eause the war is going in a different direction.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to announce Monday afternoon that he is replacing Gen. David McKiernan as the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, to be replaced by Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, defense officials tell CNN.

Gates is planning to make the announcement at a Pentagon news conference.