Admiral to lead ground wars.

BBC NEWS

Bush 'to replace top US generals'

President George W Bush is to change his military operations chief for Iraq and Afghanistan, US media reports say.

Adm William Fallon will replace Gen John Abizaid as head of US Central Command and there will be a new ground commander in Iraq, ABC News reported.

It also said that US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad is to replace John Bolton as US ambassador to the UN.

The reports come days before Mr Bush unveils a new strategy for Iraq that could include thousands more US troops.

The Pentagon has declined to comment on the reports.

New troops

Adm Fallon is the top military commander in the Pacific.

If confirmed, the move would put an admiral in charge of two land wars.

ABC said Lt Gen David Petraeus was expected to replace Gen George Casey as the leading ground commander in Iraq.

In a teleconference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Thursday Mr Bush agreed there should be "sufficient" security forces in Baghdad, the White House said.

The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says there could be perhaps as many as 18,000 extra troops, a policy that is likely to bring gasps of disbelief from many of the president's supporters.

The Democrats, newly installed in power in both houses of Congress, will not be supportive, our correspondent says.

Mr Bush's new approach is expected to be laid out in a speech as early as the middle of next week.

A senior White House official said Mr Bush might make the official announcement on Mr Khalilzad as early as Friday.

Mr Khalilzad would have to be confirmed by the Senate, but analysts say he has maintained good relations with the Democrats.

Reports say Ryan Crocker, US ambassador to Pakistan, may replace Mr Khalilzad in Baghdad.

John Negroponte is set to move from director of national intelligence to deputy secretary of state.

Retired vice admiral and intelligence official Michael McConnell is expected to replace Mr Negroponte.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6232889.stm

Published: 2007/01/04 23:51:30 GMT

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