Gen David Petraeus named CIA head

28 April 2011 last Mr Obama updated at 10:25 pm: "That are the leaders that I have chosen, help us through the difficult days in advance to lead" U.S. President Barack Obama Gen David Petraeus, U.S. head of international troops in Afghanistan has nominated, as the new Director of the CIA and has named the Agency Chief as head of the Pentagon.

CIA Director Leon Panetta should that take next Defense Minister, when Robert Gates late June in retirement.

"Leon estimates the fighting of the American forces," said Mr Obama.

Gen Petraeus Job Corps lt will be filled by Marine Gen John Allen. The Senate must still confirm the changes.

Notice the most sweeping shake-up of top security officials since he took office, Mr Obama also Ryan Crocker named as the next US Ambassador to Afghanistan.

"This help through the difficult days in advance to guide us, the leaders I have chosen," said Mr Obama with Mr Gates, Mr. Panetta, Gen Petraeus and other officials at the White House next to him.

"Unity efforts"

Mr Obama said that after almost 40 years in uniform, gene would Petraeus by the US Army retired and in his new role at the CIA in September, pending Senate confirmation of the new positions.

Continue reading the most important story Kim Ghattas of BBC News, Washington

It is the biggest government reshuffle in the Obama management. It is likely the largest such high-level reshuffle at once in a recent US Government.

It was Bob Gates retired as Secretary of Defense, which set the game of musical chairs in motion. Mr Obama there was a new beginning and continuity.

With a new Force Commander and a new Ambassador in Kabul could signal the time after the draw-down of troops in this summer a new phase.

But the shake-up does not bring any new talent on board, so that it also a sense of continuity. The reshuffle was described as wise in Washington.

Most of the dates had for a while, the rumor was no surprises, although debate as to whether the men for their are jobs, there except maybe for Ryan Crocker, a seasoned diplomat.

The Obama allegedly attempted administration of retirement for a few jobs already back to advertise it. It is unclear how the President Mr Crocker, the accept job Kabul convinced.

The announcement comes less than a year after the responsibility for leading Gen Petraeus took over to NATO troops in Afghanistan from Gen Stanley McChrystal.

"I am on it and mean entire national security team for their counsel, continuity and unity of effort, which called for at this moment in history", said Mr Obama of his newly appointed staff.

Mr Obama said Mr Gates, the first as Defense Minister was appointed by George W. Bush to the 2006, "more than the right to return to private life had acquired".

Gen Petraeus is in Afghanistan Lt Gen Allen, currently Deputy Head of the US Central Command - Unit command for Central Asia and the Middle East version.

Lt Gen Allen and Mr. Crocker fills their new roles, but the positions in the course of the summer will come.

"The challenges are enormous and the stakes are high." 9 / 11 came to us from Afghanistan. Mr Crocker, said "Our opponents never again this opportunity must have".

Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee praised Mr Obama decision move Gen Petraeus on the CIA.

"General Petraeus is simply among the best military leaders of his generation." "He knows how life and death important, play the good intelligence to protect of the security of the United States firsthand."

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today, we are a nation in the war, and place one will be, so that we remain the strongest military power in the world, to protect the security that is so important in this country "

end quote CIA Director Leon Panetta Mr Kerry also noticed Mr. Panetta" extremely deep institutional knowledge "of Washington."

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Mr Obama was Gen Petraeus and Mr Panetta for their respective roles to praise for the selection of the competence and continuity"in nomination".

Mr. Panetta, a 72-year-old Democrat from California, served as Chief of staff from 1994 to 1997 took over President Bill Clinton and the CIA in February 2009.

In, he served as Director of the Office of management and budget of Mr Clinton's those positions.

In the meantime is Afghanistan's spring season fight, ramps test territorial gains, NATO and Afghan national army.

"Today we are a nation at war and order one are, so that we remain the strongest military power in the world, to protect the security that is so important in this country." But this also a time for tough decisions, ", said Mr Panetta.

In July, the United States is expected to start U.S. President Barack Obama a "significant" withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, called turn over security duties Afghan national army.

As of February, were more than 1.4 million people in the US armed forces are used.

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