Reserve general appointed Commander of Israeli army

The new commander of the Israeli army will be reserve general Gabi Ashkenazi, the government said today.

Ashkenazi will replace Lt Gen. Dan Halutz, who resigned last week under stiff criticism for the military's performance in last summer's inconclusive war in Lebanon.

Ashkenazi, now the director of the Defence Ministry, was the deputy chief of staff and commander of the northern front in previous postings. He left the army two years ago with the rank of major general when Halutz was appointed chief of staff instead of him.

The resignation of Halutz increased pressure on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and defence minister Amir Peretz to follow his example and resign. Public support of both leaders has plummeted since the war.

Moshe Yaalon, who preceded Halutz as military chief of staff, called on Peretz to step down.