US Afghanistan commander 'replaced'

The Pentagon is to replace the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, David McKiernan, US media reports say.Military officials told the Associated Press news agency that McKiernan will be replaced by General Stanley McCrystal, with an announcement by Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, expected later on Monday.The move comes as the US is sending around 21,000 extra troops to Afghanistan as part of the White House's plans to combat Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters in the region.No reason has immediately been given for the decision to replace McKiernan.McKiernan arrived in Afghanistan about a year ago and had been asking for extra troops as the Taliban campaign worsened, the AP said.