New US commander named in Mid-East
General David Petraeus has been confirmed by the US Senate as the top US commander in the Middle East.
The Senate was also expected to approve the nomination of Lt Gen Raymond Odierno to replace Petraeus as the chief military officer in Iraq.
Last year, Petraeus helped to tame growing opposition to the Iraq war in Congress by providing measured assessments of progress and warning that an exodus of US troops would result in chaos.
In the meantime, he advocated a buildup of some 30,000 troops in Baghdad and other hotspots, which eventually proved vital in tamping down violence.
Odierno, who implemented much of the strategy as Petraeus' deputy in Iraq, is expected to receive a fourth star as part of his promotion.
