Agence France-Presse,
LONDON: A general who has called for more multinational troops to be sent to Afghanistan is set to be named the new head of the British army within days, newspapers reported Friday.
General David Richards, the former commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan, could be appointed to replace General Richard Dannatt as chief of the general staff as soon as Friday, they said.
The Independent newspaper reported that Richards, who is currently in charge of army units serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo among other countries, believes an extra 30,000 soldiers are needed in Afghanistan.
This would include 5,000 more British troops, the newspaper said, on top of the 7,800 currently serving as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and US-led operations in Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Defence refused to confirm the appointment, saying only: “An announcement will be made in due course.”
Dannatt, who was made chief of the general staff in August 2006, has been outspoken about the strains faced by Britain's armed forces and the need for better pay for junior troops.
There has been speculation in recent weeks that the 57-year-old was planning early retirement, although it was not expected until late 2009.
Richards will be replaced as the commander-in-chief of British land forces by Lieutenant General Peter Wall, the Independent said.
