New US military leader named
US President Barack Obama has chosen veteran Army Gen Martin Dempsey to succeed Adm Mike Mullen as chairman of the military Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Mr Obama’s announcement moves the president close to completion of the rebuilding of his national security team as he continues to lead American war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and prepares to seek a second term in 2012.
Mr Obama said Dempsey was “one of our nation’s most respected and combat-tested generals.”