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Washington: The Bush administration picked David Petraeus, its top commander in Iraq, on Wednesday to take charge of operations across the Middle East and chose his former Number Two to take over in Baghdad.
The decision to elevate both Petraeus and Raymond Odierno, who together implemented a new military strategy that drove violence down in Iraq, signals that Washington does not plan any major changes in its approach to that war.
It also shows the Pentagon's desire to apply Petraeus's experience in fighting insurgencies to Afghanistan, where violence has soared as the Taliban and Al Qaida regrouped.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates called Petraeus the most qualified general to lead the US Central Command, manage counterinsurgency operations in both wars and face threats including Islamist extremism throughout the region. "I don't know anybody in the United States military better qualified to lead that effort," Gates said.
President George W. Bush has already approved both recommendations and will send the nominations to the US Senate, Gates said.
If confirmed by the Senate, Petraeus will replace William Fallon, who resigned after a break with the Bush administration over Iran policy.
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