Petraeus leaves Iraq

David Petraeus, the American general who presided over Iraq’s pull back from the brink of all-out civil war, relinquished his command today to General Ray Odierno under a cascade of official thank yous.

In an elaborate ceremony in a marble-lined rotunda of a former Saddam Hussein palace on the outskirts of the capital, General Petraeus handed over to Gen Odierno the responsibility for leading US and coalition forces at a stage in the still-unpopular war that appears far more hopeful than when Gen Petraeus assumed command 20 months ago.

Gen Petraeus leaves behind a heavy dose of caution, reflected in his recommendation to President Bush that he maintain 15 combat brigades in Iraq through to the end of the year instead of pulling out one or two, as many had expected.

Defence Secretary Robert Gates recalled the perils faced by Gen Petraeus at the start of his tour in February 2007.

“Darkness had descended on this land,” Mr Gates said. “Merchants of chaos were gaining strength. Death was commonplace,” and people around the world were wondering whether any Iraq strategy would work.

Mr Gates praised both generals for their accomplishments together in 2007, when Gen Odierno served as the No.2 US commander and a revised US strategy began to pay dividends.

“Slowly, but inexorably, the tide began to turn,” Mr Gates said. Our enemies took a fearsome beating they will not soon forget. Fortified by our own people and renewed commitment, the soldiers of Iraq found new courage and confidence. And the people of Iraq, resilient and emboldened, rose up to take back their country.“

Gen Petraeus’ next assignment will be as commander of US Central Command, with broader responsibilities. From his headquarters in Tampa, Florida, he will oversee US military involvement across the Middle East, including Iraq, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan and other Central Asian nations. He takes up that post in late October.

Gen Petraeus and other military leaders regularly warn that security gains in Iraq are reversible and need continued US attention – a point underscored by persistent bombings that bear the hallmarks of Sunni insurgents.

On Monday, Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, the No.2 US commander in Iraq, told reporters it would be a mistake to push the US-trained Iraqi army and police into a leading security role before they are ready.

“I’m not sure that pushing them forward is the right thing that we want to do. We tried that once before and found that that didn’t work,” Lt Gen Austin told reporters, referring to the pre-2007 US strategy, which focused on handing over security responsibility to the Iraqis quickly while reducing the US presence. That approach faltered before President Bush switched strategies and installed Gen Petraeus in Baghdad, replacing Gen. George Casey.

Lt Gen Austin succeeded Gen Odierno in February as the No 2 US commander in Iraq. Austin told reporters that he does not expect the switch from Gen Petraeus to Gen Odierno to result in much change in focus.

“They certainly have different styles – they are different people,” Lt Gen Austin said, adding that both generals “think alike.” Although both will have four-star rank, Gen Odierno will report to Gen Petraeus.

Mr Gates, who recommended Gen Petraeus for the Central Command post and Gen Odierno for the Baghdad job, said that he is confident that Gen Petraeus will get the credit he deserves for his role in reducing violence in Iraq.

“He’s played a historic role, there’s just no two ways about it,” Mr Gates said. “Gen Petraeus is clearly the hero of the hour.”

Gen Petraeus arrived in Baghdad, for his third command assignment of the war, in February 2007. He is departing somewhat earlier than once planned; it had been expected he would stay until at least the end of this year. But when Admiral William Fallon abruptly resigned as commander of Central Command last spring, Mr Gates decided Gen Petraeus was the best choice to fill that spot.

Gen Petraeus commanded the 101st Airborne Division at the outset of the US invasion in March 2003, and he returned in May 2004 to command the organisation responsible for training Iraqi security forces.

In his next assignment, Gen Petraeus will face not only the challenge of Iraq but also an array of other problems and potential crises, including the deteriorating security situation in parts of Afghanistan.

Gen Petraeus said experience in Iraq shows it will take political and economic progress as well as military action to tackle increased violence in Afghanistan.

“You don’t kill or capture your way out of an industrial strength insurgency,” he said.