Certainly our goal is to leave Iraq, but we can't leave Iraq with our forces until we know that the Iraqi security forces are capable and efficient enough to defend the sovereignty of the nation.

He was raised Catholic. Abizaid succeeded General Tommy Franks as Commander USCENTCOM on July 7 2003 and was also elevated to the rank of four-star general the same week. On March 16 2007 Abizaid transferred command to Admiral William J.

Fallon on March 16 2007. Abizaid retired from the military on May 1 2007 after 34 years of service. He assumed the DistinguiJohn Abizaidd Chair of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point in December 2007.