PENTAGON (AP) _ Defense Secretary Robert Gates says President
Bush will nominate the Iraq war commander, Army General David
Petraeus, to head Central Command.

The command, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is responsible for
U.S. military operations throughout the Middle East, Central Asia
and the Horn of Africa, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Pentagon head doesn't see the move as being disruptive to the Iraq war effort, telling reporters that waiting until late summer or early fall would "ensure plenty of time for a good handoff.'' Gates says Bush will nominate Army Lieutenant General Ray Odierno to replace Petraeus in Baghdad.

If confirmed by the Senate, Petraeus would replace Admiral William Fallon, who resigned abruptly in March after a magazine reported that he was at odds with President Bush over Iran policy.