FACTBOX: New Central Command head trained Iraqi forces

(Reuters) - Army Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey was named on Tuesday to take temporary charge of Central Command, the U.S. command overseeing the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, until a permanent successor is found for Adm. William Fallon. Fallon stepped down as head of Central Command after a magazine article portrayed him as challenging President George W. Bush on Iran policy.

Here are some facts about Dempsey:

* He has been in the military since 1974 and became deputy chief of Central Command in May 2007.

* Since August 2005 he had headed the Multi-National Security and Training Command, Iraq, becoming the most recognized U.S. face on the effort to build an Iraqi army and police force.

* Known for his candor, Dempsey told a House Armed Services Committee panel in 2007 that the Iraqi forces showed improvement but remained hampered by 'lack of depth' and a shortage of qualified leaders.

* Iraqi generals took to calling his orders related to troop training "Dempsey fatwas."

* Has said the United States and the Iraqis need a "transition scheme" so they can plan for when U.S. troops start to leave and Iraqis take command of the war.

Sources: U.S. Department of Defense, nationaljournal.com

(Compiled by World Desk, Washington)