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Obama calls Karzai, informs him about Petraeus
US President Barack Obama called his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai to inform him about the decision to nominate General David Petraeus, as his new commander for Afghanistan.
US President Barack Obama called his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai to inform him about the decision to nominate General David Petraeus, as his new commander for Afghanistan.
During the telephone call, Obama underscored that his personal change in no way impacts the US policy in Afghanistan or the level of American commitment to the future of that country, the White House said in a statement.
The US President had called Karzai to inform him that he has accepted the resignation of General Stanley McChrystal, as the Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and has replaced him with seasoned General Petraeus, who is well versed with the policy and the region.
"The President also emphasised that the United States and Afghanistan must continue to work together to sustain the momentum against the Taliban building on the constructive VTC (video-teleconference) that the two leaders held on Wednesday," the White House said.
Karzai welcomed the nomination of Petraeus and assured Obama that he would take all steps necessary to support a successful transition, it added.
"Both leaders expressed admiration and praise for General McChrystal's leadership and service over the past year," the statement said.
