Gen Petraeus faces confirmation to lead Afghan war

Gen David Petraeus has indicated to a Senate committee that the security situation in Afghanistan is "tenuous".

He is before the Senate Armed Services Committee after being nominated by President Obama to lead the war.

Gen Petraeus said he supports the president's plan to begin withdrawing troops in July 2011, but emphasised it is the "beginning of a process".

He also said he would assess the rules of engagement which have come under intense criticism in recent days.

"My sense is that the tough fighting will continue; indeed, it may get more intense in the next few months," he said.

In written answers to the committee, he said insurgents were "resilient and still-confident".

Gen Stanley McChrystal, the former US commander in Afghanistan, was fired last week by President Obama.

The general was dismissed after criticising senior US administration officials in a Rolling Stone magazine profile. He has since announced his retirement from the US Army.

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