AP: Senate Confirms Mideast Commander (Fallon)

[Eugene]

Senate Confirms Mideast Commander
By ANNE FLAHERTY
Associated Press Writer

February 7, 2007, 7:33 PM EST

WASHINGTON -- The Senate confirmed a new military commander for troops in the Middle
East on Wednesday, even as members questioned another senior officer's handling of
the war.

The new director of national intelligence also was confirmed.

The approval of Navy Adm. William Fallon to replace Army Gen. John Abizaid as head of U.S.
Central Command, on a voice vote in the Senate, was in contrast to the widespread public
and congressional opposition to President Bush's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

Retired Vice Adm. Mike McConnell was confirmed on a voice vote to become the nation's
second national intelligence director.

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Full article: http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-us-iraq-commanders,0,3048460.story