Top U.S. commander for Middle East leaves job

By Kristin Roberts

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida (Reuters) - Adm. William Fallon gave up his command over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on Friday, after a magazine portrayed him as opposing President George W. Bush's Iran policy.

Fallon, who handed over his responsibilities to his deputy, will resign from active duty altogether in May, ending a 40-year military career.

Senior military officers said he never shirked from strong leadership and tough, straight talk both with allies and potential adversaries.

"His time here has advanced America's interests and security," said Defense Secretary Robert Gates at a ceremony in Florida marking Fallon's departure.

Fallon's resignation after just over a year at U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, came after an Esquire magazine article portrayed him as the man standing between Bush and war with Iran.

The article described him as challenging the White House and urging restraint. It deepened an already existing perception that the 63-year-old admiral was at odds with Bush.

Fallon cooperated with the author during the article's preparation but criticized the story after it appeared. He said he did not disagree with the president but that the perception that he did made it difficult to do his job.

The admiral praised Bush's leadership in his final comments to troops in Florida, saying the president aimed to "get the job done and to do it right."