McChrystal says resigned for sake of Afghan mission

WASHINGTON: US General Stanley McChrystal said Wednesday he resigned as commander of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan out of a commitment to troops and “to see the mission succeed.”

“This morning the president accepted my resignation as commander of US and NATO coalition Forces in Afghanistan,” McChrystal said in a statement issued shortly after President Barack Obama announced he was replacing the general.

“I strongly support the president”s strategy in Afghanistan and am deeply committed to our coalition forces, our partner nations, and the Afghan people,” he said.

“It was out of respect for this commitment — and a desire to see the mission succeed — that I tendered my resignation.”

The four-star general made no mention of the magazine article that created an uproar this week, in which he and his aides derided top administration officials and spoke dismissively of Obama.

McChrystal had been named as commander in Afghanistan only a year ago.