WATCH: Obama Relieves Gen. McChrystal of Afghan Command

President Barack Obama has relieved Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal of his duties as commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. McChrystal has been replaced with CENTCOMM Commander Gen. David Petraeus, White House officials said.

The President reportedly had a half hour private session with McChrystal, whom he summoned from Kabul. The general had to personally address comments that he and aides made to Rolling Stone, slamming the president, vice president and his national security team. The article is entitled "The Runaway General" and is scheduled to publish in later this week. According to excerpts, when the writer asked an aide about a dinner that the genera;l clearly did not want to attend, the aide replied, "Some French minister. It's so f_cking gay."

Speaking in the Rose Garden, the President said McChrystal's comments did "not meet the standards that should be set by a commanding general. It undermines the civilian control of the military... and erodes the trust that is necessary for our team to work together to achieve our objectives in Afghanistan."

Watch the President speak, as well as ABC NEWS and FOX's reports AFTER THE JUMP ...

Comments

[Derrick from Philly]

I don't understand such stuff, but I guess it had to be done...insubordination and a total lack of respect, I guess?

I just want to get the hell out of Afganistan--that, my dears, is what really could destroy the chances for a 2nd Obama term. Yes, Afganistan scares the sh-t out of this Democratic Party Loyalist.

[duttybama]

After discovering all those valuable minerals do you REALLY think the U.S. military will leave so soon without exploiting that sandboz? If you do you're a fool.

[Derrick from Philly]

Actually, dutty(I'll leave the last part of your posting name where it belongs), there are some who are saying that those Afgani mineral deposits were known about for years. It was part of a publicity stunt to make the American people believe there is something "valuable" about staying in Afganistan. The only thing "valuable" to be learned about Afganistan is from the Russians.

Vice-President Biden says punish and weaken the terrorists, but don't make a commitment to nation building. I hope my Presidents opens his big sexy ears to listen.

[AnyTruth?]

I love my president, but I had truly wished he had listened more to Joe Biden than the blaying of McChrystal and back up and lobbying from Hillary Clinton for the surge. I believe Obama has since re-evaluated Joe's more pragmatic approach which also included an appropriate exit strategy. Biden had it formatted as best as such strategy could be.