From the AP:

Gen. David Petraeus, whose strategy for countering the Iraq insurgency is credited by many with rescuing the country from all-out civil war, stepped aside Tuesday as Gen. Ray Odierno took over as the top American commander of the conflict.

At a traditional change-of-command ceremony attended by top Iraqi and American military and civilian officials, Petraeus said that Odierno‘s skills and experience make him “the perfect man for the job.

Gen. Petraeus has done outstanding work in Iraq over the last 20 months. He took command in Iraq at a time when both Democrats and Republicans believed the United States had failed in Iraq and that the war was lost. Gen. Petraeus will assume command of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which overseas U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Northern Africa and other countries in Southwest Asia.