Obama backs scandalous general

US President Barack Obama has expressed support for the top US commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, despite an ongoing FBI probe of the latter’s “inappropriate communication” with a woman already involved in another extramarital scandal.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney stated on Tuesday that Obama stands by Gen. Allen in spite of the current investigation on his email exchanges with Jill Kelley, the key figure in the scandal involving former CIA director, General David Petraeus.

Carney pointed to Obama’s support for Allen and said, “He has faith in Gen. Allen,” reiterating that the top commander of the US-led forces in Afghanistan will remain in his post for the time being.

However, Allen’s nomination for Supreme Allied Commander in Europe has been placed on hold by US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

Earlier, between 20,000 and 30,000 pages of communications since 2012 between Allen and Kelley were uncovered.

Kelley’s complaints of harassment to the FBI earlier this year led the bureau to Paula Broadwell, Petraeus’ biographer, who saw Kelley as a rival in her affair with Petraeus.

Petraeus submitted his resignation to the US president on Friday, admitting to having had an extramarital affair. Petraeus had held Allen’s position before he was appointed as the CIA director.