Factbox: Key quotes on Obama decision on McChrystal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Wednesday relieved General Stanley McChrystal of his command over U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan after Rolling Stone magazine quoted the general and his aides making disparaging comments about some of Obama's senior advisers.

Obama named General David Petraeus, the head of U.S. Central Command who has been deeply involved in Afghan war strategy, to replace McChrystal.

Following are key quotes:

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

"But war is bigger than any one man or woman, whether a private, a general, or a president. As difficult as it is to lose General McChrystal, I believe that it is the right decision for our national security."

"The conduct represented in the recently published article does not meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general. It undermines the civilian control of the military that is at the core of our democratic system. And it erodes the trust that's necessary for our team to work together to achieve our objectives in Afghanistan."

GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL:

"This morning the president accepted my resignation as Commander of U.S. and NATO Coalition Forces in Afghanistan. I strongly support the president's strategy in Afghanistan and am deeply committed to our coalition forces, our partner nations, and the Afghan people. It was out of respect for this commitment -- and a desire to see the mission succeed -- that I tendered my resignation. It has been my privilege and honor to lead our nation's finest."

SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JOHN KERRY:

"The Commander in Chief has made it clear no one is bigger than the mission and nothing less than a unified effort in Afghanistan will get the job done. His decision to return General Petraeus to the battlefield provides not just continuity in philosophy, but tested diplomatic skill that is at the very center of a military strategy which hinges on progress in governance to sustain military gains."

HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN IKE SKELTON:

"General Petraeus is the best that we have. I have great confidence in his ability to bring about a successful outcome in Afghanistan. The Commander-in-Chief must have confidence in his commanders in the field. It is time to move on and return our focus to waging the war in Afghanistan."

SENATOR JON KYL, REPUBLICAN WHIP:

On how quickly Petraeus could be confirmed by the Senate, said senators had a lot of confidence in the general. "I can't imagine why there would be any difficulty."

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JOHN BOEHNER:

"I have great respect for General McChrystal and the job he's done in Afghanistan and elsewhere in service of our country, but I respect the decision of our Commander-in-Chief. I thank General McChrystal for the sacrifices and enormous contributions he has made on behalf of our country. General Petraeus has also dedicated his career to this country and he deserves great credit for his leadership in helping to stabilize Iraq and bring it to a critical transition point this summer. I believe he is the right person take over this command."

ANTONIO GIUSTOZZI, EXPERT ON AFGHAN TALIBAN, LONDON SCHOOL

OF ECONOMICS:

"Petraeus is a charismatic fellow; perhaps he is the only one who could replace McChrystal without Washington giving a sense of the whole effort falling apart. But how will he relate to the White House remains an issue; he is believed to harbor presidential ambitions with the Republicans if I remember well."

FARZANA SHAIKH, ASSOCIATE FELLOW, ASIA PROGRAM, UK'S

CHATHAM HOUSE THINK TANK:

"The feeling in the region has been that the U.S. and its allies have lost their way, and this dismissal will accentuate that sense. It won't be seen as decisive leadership.

"I wasn't inclined to think the article was a dismissal matter but obviously it touched a raw nerve, showing the extreme sensitivity of the national security team as it was seen as casting doubt on the competence and intelligence of that team."

"This is likely to be a momentous decision because it comes at a delicate time. (With Petraeus) they are going to try to stabilize the situation. They won't want to rock the boat further."

(Compiled by Tabassum Zakaria in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)