Obama sacks US commander in Afghanistan

US president Barack Obama sacked America’s top military man in Afghanistan after less than a year in command.

General David McKiernan will be replaced as the White House implements a new strategy in the country focusing on a surge in troops and civilian trainers.

US defence secretary Robert Gates said during a Pentagon briefing yesterday: “It’s time for new leadership and fresh eyes.”

Gen McKiernan will be replaced by former US special forces commander Lt Gen Stanley McChrystal.

The decision was made “with the approval of the president”, Mr Gates said.

Gen McKiernan’s dismissal is the latest move by Barack Obama to refocus strategy in Afghanistan. He has already announced an increase in troop numbers and civilian personnel to help train Afghan forces.

By the end of the year, the US will have almost 70,000 soldiers in the country, around double the amount present at the end of the Bush administration.

Announcing Gen McKiernan’s dismissal, Mr Gates said there was “nothing specific” that he did wrong.

He said: “As I have said many times before, very few of these problems can be solved by military means alone. And yet from the military perspective, we can and must do better.”

Mr Gates said that “new thinking and new approaches” were needed from military leaders, adding: “Today we have a new policy set by our new president. We have a new strategy, a new mission and a new ambassador. I believe that new military leadership is needed.”

In a statement issued from Kabul, Gen McKiernan said: “All of us, in any future capacity, must remain committed to the great people of Afghanistan. They deserve security, government that meets their expectation and a better future than the last 30 years of conflict have witnessed.”