Gen. Stanley McChrystal disimissed

The top US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, has been dismissed by President Barack Obama after critical comments about senior US officials in a magazine.{{more}}

He will be replaced by Gen David Petraeus, who led the “surge” strategy in Iraq.

Mr Obama insisted it was “a change in personnel but not a change in policy”.

Gen McChrystal said in a statement he had resigned out of a “desire to see the mission succeed”.

The announcement that Gen McChrystal was standing down came after he had met Mr Obama at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the content of the Rolling Stone magazine article.

Mr Obama said he had made the decision to replace Gen McChrystal “with considerable regret” but added that he had failed to “meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general”.

“I believe it is the right decision for our national security,” Mr Obama said.