The commander of US forces in Iraq has been named to a new post and will be departing the country this year, the Pentagon said Monday.
President Barack Obama has nominated General Ray Odierno to head US Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia, the Pentagon said.
Odierno has been in charge of the war in Iraq since September 2008 and has successfully implemented the buildup of US troops to rein in widespread violence, DPA reported.
The Pentagon did not provide a date for his departure, saying only that it will take place later this year.
Odierno has been overseeing Obama's withdrawal plan for Iraq, where the number of troops has been lowered to just above 90,000.
Joint Forces Command coordinates common capabilities, training other activities between the various branches of the armed services.