GUNNER
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WASHINGTON, June 23, 2010 (AFP) - Afghan war General Stanley McChrystal left the White House after a dressing down from President Barack Obama Wednesday, with speculation rife he will be fired for mocking the US national security team.
The daring career soldier was abruptly ordered to leave the war zone and show up at the White House to explain remarks in a stunning magazine interview in which he criticized the president and his war cabinet.
McChrystal climbed into a dark mini van and drove away from the White House, less than an hour before he was due to attend a meeting of Obama's war cabinet in the secure White House Situation Room.
It was not clear if he planned to return and there was no immediate word on the outcome of the meeting. Aides did not immediately say when Obama would comment publicly on the situation.
McChrystal, who also commands NATO forces in Afghanistan, first meet Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon, then went to see Obama, in what was likely an awkward meeting, which a White House aide said last 31 minutes.
Other news reports said the general has already offered his resignation.
McChrystal won some backing in Europe, where nations participating in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said that this was no time for a change of command in the war against the Taliban.
"He is a guarantor of the new strategy in Afghanistan," German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg told German television. "It is important for us to have stability within NATO structures."
The daring career soldier was abruptly ordered to leave the war zone and show up at the White House to explain remarks in a stunning magazine interview in which he criticized the president and his war cabinet.
McChrystal climbed into a dark mini van and drove away from the White House, less than an hour before he was due to attend a meeting of Obama's war cabinet in the secure White House Situation Room.
It was not clear if he planned to return and there was no immediate word on the outcome of the meeting. Aides did not immediately say when Obama would comment publicly on the situation.
McChrystal, who also commands NATO forces in Afghanistan, first meet Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon, then went to see Obama, in what was likely an awkward meeting, which a White House aide said last 31 minutes.
Other news reports said the general has already offered his resignation.
McChrystal won some backing in Europe, where nations participating in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said that this was no time for a change of command in the war against the Taliban.
"He is a guarantor of the new strategy in Afghanistan," German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg told German television. "It is important for us to have stability within NATO structures."