Afghans relieved at choice of Gen. Petraeus

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan officials expressed relief Wednesday at the choice of Gen. David Petraeus to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the top U.S. and NATO commander, believing the U.S. strategy aimed at minimizing civilian casualties and bolstering the Afghan government would continue.

Afghans had warned that the dismissal of McChrystal would disrupt progress in the war and jeopardize a pivotal security operation under way in Taliban strongholds in the south.

After President Barack Obama announced the selection of Petraeus, Afghan authorities said they were relieved because the veteran war commander helped craft the counterinsurgency strategy being implemented in Afghanistan.

President Hamid Karzai's spokesman, Waheed Omar, said the Afghan leader was informed of the change in leadership before the public announcement and that he was happy with the selection, despite his respect for McChrystal.

"He respects Gen. McChrystal but he also respects Gen. Petraeus," Omar said. "He believes Gen. Petraeus knows Afghanistan."

Omar described McChrystal as a "a fine soldier" and partner for the Afghan people "but we believe Gen. Petraeus will also be a trusted partner."

Omar said Karzai believes the U.S. and Afghanistan "are in a very sensitive juncture" and that any disruption "will not be helpful."

Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi also publicly voiced his support for McChrystal, but also for Petraeus.

"Since Gen. McChrystal took over the job as commander of the international forces, there have been a lot of changes in different departments, which are very important and positive," Azimi said. "For example, there has been a decrease in the numbers of civilian casualties and we're still working jointly with McChrystal to decrease it further."

Until Petraeus is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, British Lt. Gen. Nick Parker, the deputy commander of the NATO-led forces, is assuming command of the troops, according to British Prime Minister David Cameron.

In a statement, the British prime minister's office said Cameron had spoken to Parker on Wednesday and the general had told him that the mission in Afghanistan "would not miss a beat" during this period.

McChrystal was replaced after being summoned to Washington to explain disparaging comments published in Rolling Stone magazine that he and his top aides made about President Barack Obama and his national security team.