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McChrystal wins Senate confirmation

WASHINGTON - The Senate yesterday confirmed by unanimous consent the nominations of Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal to be commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan and Navy Adm. James Stavridis to be commander of U.S. forces in Europe and the top NATO commander.

WASHINGTON - The Senate yesterday confirmed by unanimous consent the nominations of Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal to be commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan and Navy Adm. James Stavridis to be commander of U.S. forces in Europe and the top NATO commander.

McChrystal replaces Gen. David McKiernan, who was forced out by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. McChrystal, who also was promoted to four-star rank, is expected to arrive in Kabul within days.

The switch of U.S. military leaders in Afghanistan comes less than three months after President Obama announced a new strategy for the war.

McChrystal, who commanded U.S. Joint Special Operations Command for several years, has been director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon under Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Stavridis would replace Army Gen. John Craddock, who is retiring.