ABIZAID PLANS
TO RETIRE IN 2007
Dec 20 07:30
PM US/Eastern
General John Abizaid, commander of US forces in the Middle East, said he plans to retire from the military in the first half of 2007 but brushed
off suggestions he is leaving under pressure.
"After 50 months here I think it is okay to think about
retiring," he told reporters in Baghdad. "The time is right
and it has nothing to do with dissatisfaction."
Asked about reports suggesting his departure was precipitous,
Abizaid said he had planned to retire in the spring of 2007.
"According to the Abizaid family, this would not be a precipitous
decision," he said.
Abizaid took
over command of the US Central Command from General Tommy Franks after the March 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.