LONDON, England (CNN) -- A British general who advocates a troop "surge" in Afghanistan will be appointed head of the British Army next year, the Ministry of Defense said Friday. General David Richards is to become the new head of the British Army next year. Gen. David Richards, the current commander-in-chief of British Land Forces, will take over from Gen. Richard Dannatt in August 2009, when Dannatt's three-year term expires, the defense ministry said. Richards, who is responsible for delivering forces to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo in his current role, was head of NATO forces in Afghanistan between May 2006 and February 2007.
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British general who advocates a troop "surge" in Afghanistan to head army
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Gen. David Richards is the current commander-in-chief of British Land Forces
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Richards headed NATO's forces in Afghanistan May 2006 to February 2007
News reports said @placeholder, 57, had irritated top officials with comments on Iraq policy and highlighting serious strains on the armed forces.