Obama nominates Marine as General Allen's successor in Afghanistan

US Senate will have to approve General Allen and General Dunford's new assignments before the moves are formalised.

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has decided to nominate General Joseph Dunford as General John Allen’s successor in Afghanistan.

A press release announced that current ISAF commander General Allen has been nominated as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and Commander of US European Command.

Both nominations must be confirmed by the US Senate before they can take up their respective assignments.

If confirmed, General Allen will assume role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe in spring of 2013.

Dunford, who served in Iraq, has been assistant commandant of the Marine Corps since October 2010, had been widely expected to take charge of US and NATO troops in Afghanistan as Allen rotated out of the post. If confirmed, Dunford would also be in charge of overseeing and executing withdrawal plans for US troops.