Obama picks next head of forces

General Martin Dempsey, who commanded multinational forces in Iraq, has been nominated as top US military officer.

If President Barack Obama's choice is confirmed by the Senate, General Dempsey, 59 – currently US Army Chief of Staff – will replace Admiral Mike Mullen as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when he steps down on 1 October.

Speaking before a Memorial Day event at Arlington Cemetery, the President hailed General Dempsey as "one of our nation's respected and combat-tested generals".