German army chief quits over Afghan strike

By: Our Staff Reporter | November 26, 2009, 4:19 pm |
Germany's top soldier and a senior defence ministry official quit on Thursday over a controversial strike in northern Afghanistan in September in which NATO says as many as 142 people died. The resignations, announced in parliament by Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, followed press reports that information about the September 4 strike ordered by a German commander was withheld. Chief of staff General Wolfgang Schneiderhan "has released himself from his duties at his own request," zu Guttenberg said. "State secretary (Peter) Wichert is also taking responsibility."

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