London, Feb. 20 (ANI): Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen will retire instead of taking over as NATO chief in Europe, citing concerns over his wife's health.
President Barack Obama said he had accepted General Allen's request to retire, praising his 'decades of service' in the US Marine Corps.
According to the BBC, General Allen was cleared of misconduct in a scandal that brought down CIA director General David Petraeus earlier this year.
General Allen told the Washington Post he was retiring in order to help his wife cope with a combination of chronic health issues, including an autoimmune disorder.
He described the four-star general as 'one of America's finest military leaders, a true patriot'.
General Allen's nomination to head Nato in Europe had earlier been put on hold amid reports he had exchanged inappropriate emails with a Florida socialite, in the scandal that forced Gen Petraeus to resign in November, the report said.
But allegations of professional misconduct were dismissed and Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said he had 'complete confidence' in General Allen's leadership.
His successor is expected to be the last commander of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) and will oversee the withdrawal of most foreign troops from the country, it added. (ANI)
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