US Marine General John Allen, the longest-serving leader of US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, yesterday asked US president Barack Obama to accept his retirement from the military because his wife is seriously ill, a move that nullifies his nomination as supreme allied commander in Europe.
Gen Allen, who relinquished command of the war 10 days ago, said his decision was not influenced by a Pentagon investigation into e-mail messages he exchanged with Tampa socialite Jill Kelley, who was involved in the scandal that prompted former general and Afghanistan commander David Petraeus to resign as CIA director last year.
– (Agencies)
