Obama nominates Gen Philip Breedlove for top NATO post

PanARMENIAN.Net - President Barack Obama has announced he will nominate U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, BBC News reported.

Gen Breedlove, whose nomination was endorsed by ambassadors from the 28 NATO allies, is expected to succeed Admiral James Stavridis. He is currently the commander of U.S. Air Force units in Europe and Africa.

U.S. Marine General John Allen, who led NATO forces in Afghanistan, was originally nominated for the job. But his nomination was put on hold as he was embroiled in a scandal that led to the resignation of CIA director and former general David Petraeus.

A Pentagon investigation cleared Gen Allen. Last month, he said he was retiring, forgoing the nomination to the top U.S. military post in Europe because of his wife's health.

The post requires U.S. Senate confirmation, but Gen Breedlove is expected to take over the post this spring.