Air Force General Breedlove nominated for top Nato post

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Commander of US Air Force units in Europe and Africa General Philip Breedlove is seen in this undated handout photo
Image caption,
In his 36 years of military service, Gen Breedlove has commanded a fighter squadron, an operations group and three fighter wings

President Barack Obama has announced he will nominate US Air Force General Philip Breedlove as Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

Gen Breedlove, whose nomination was endorsed by ambassadors from the 28 Nato allies, is expected to succeed Admiral James Stavridis.

He is currently the commander of US Air Force units in Europe and Africa.

US Marine General John Allen, who led Nato forces in Afghanistan, was originally nominated for the job.

But his nomination was put on hold as he was embroiled in a scandal that led to the resignation of CIA director and former general David Petraeus.

A Pentagon investigation cleared Gen Allen. Last month, he said he was retiring, forgoing the nomination to the top US military post in Europe because of his wife's health.

The post requires US Senate confirmation, but Gen Breedlove is expected to take over the post this spring.