Top US commander in Middle East quits

The top US military commander for the Middle East resigned today amid speculation about a rift over American policy in Iran.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Admiral William J. Fallon had asked for permission to retire and that he agreed.

Mr Gates said the decision, effective from March 31, was entirely Admiral Fallon’s and that he believed it was “the right thing to do”.

Admiral Fallon was the subject of an article published last week in Esquire magazine that portrayed him as opposed to President George Bush’s Iran policy.

It described Admiral Fallon as a lone voice against taking military action to stop the Iranian nuclear programme.

Admiral Fallon, who is travelling in Iraq, issued a statement through his US headquarters in Florida.

He said: “Recent press reports suggesting a disconnect between my views and the president’s policy objectives have become a distraction at a critical time and hamper efforts in the Centcom region.

“And although I don’t believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command area of responsibility, the simple perception that there is makes it difficult for me to effectively serve America’s interests there.”

Mr Gates described as “ridiculous” any notion that Admiral Fallon’s departure signals that the United States is planning to go to war with Iran.

And he said “there is a misperception” that Admiral Fallon disagrees with the administration’s approach to Iran.

“I don’t think there were differences at all,” Mr Gates added.

Admiral Fallon has had a 41-year Navy career. He took the Central Command post on March 16 last year, succeeding Army General John Abizaid, who retired. Admiral Fallon previously served as commander of US Pacific Command.

Mr Gates said that until a permanent replacement is nominated and confirmed by the Senate, Admiral Fallon’s place will be taken by his top deputy, Army Lieutenant General Martin Dempsey.

The Defence Secretary called Admiral Fallon a very able military strategist and said his advice will be missed at the Pentagon.

“I think this is a cumulative kind of thing,” said Mr Gates, speaking of the circumstances leading up to Admiral Fallon’s decision. “It isn’t the result of any one article or any one issue.

“As I say, the notion that this decision portends anything in terms of change in Iran policy is, to quote myself, ’ridiculous’,” he said.