General wins support of Senate panel

A Senate committee approved the nomination of Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus to command American forces in Iraq, replacing Gen. George Casey.

The Senate Armed Services Committee sent the nomination to the full Senate, which is expected to approve it today, including promoting Petraeus to four-star rank.

Petraeus, 54, has served two tours in Iraq -- as commander of the 101st Airborne Division during the invasion in 2003 and as commander of the training program for the Iraqi army in 2004-05. Casey has been nominated to be the next Army chief of staff.