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Top U.S. General To Retire, Won’t Take NATO Command


U.S. General John Allen
U.S. General John Allen
U.S. President Barack Obama has said that General John Allen will retire and therefore will not take the job NATO supreme commander.

Obama said in a written statement that Allen wants to take care of his family after a 19-month tour in Afghanistan.

There has been speculation recently that Allen would not take up Obama's offer to accept the top job at NATO.

Allen had returned from his post as the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan and asked for more time to make a decision about his next career move.

In January, Allen was cleared by Pentagon investigators of allegations of professional misconduct over email exchanges with Florida socialite Jill Kelley.

NATO said in a statement on February 19 that it "fully" respects Allen's decision

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

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