US Senate approves Petraeus for Afghan mission

General David Petraeus was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate as the new Commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

The Four Star general, who headed the multinational forces in Iraq from 2007 to 2008 and till now was the Commander of the US Central Command, is expected to leave for Afghanistan later this week.

Petraeus was nominated last week by President Barack Obama after he accepted the resignation of General Stanley McChrystal, in the aftermath of a controversial interview in which he was highly critical of the Obama administration.

“The Senates quick action and General Petraeus unrivaled experience will ensure we do not miss a beat in our strategy to break the Talibans momentum and build Afghan capacity,” Obama said in a statement.

“General Petraeus is a pivotal part of our effort to succeed in Afghanistan – and in our broader effort to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and he has my full confidence,” he said.

“The Senates unanimous support unequivocally reaffirms that he is the right man for the job,” said Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Pentagon said Petraeus is flying to NATO Headquarters in Belgium for meetings with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. He also will address the North Atlantic Council in permanent session with ISAF contributors.