WASHINGTON: Gen John Allen, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, was retiring from the military because of “family health reasons,” President Barack Obama announced on Tuesday.

In a statement issued by his office, President Obama said Gen Allen will not proceed with his nomination to become the supreme Nato commander in Europe.

“Today, I met Gen John Allen and accepted his request to retire from the military so that he can address health issues within his family.” Mr Obama said.

The US media quoted the general’s family sources as saying that his wife has been ill recently.

Mr Allen was a United States Marine Corps four-star general and was waiting for the Senate’s confirmation to take over Nato’s command in Europe.Gen Allen's nomination was delayed due to his communications with Jill Kelley, a Tampa woman who was friends with the general’s predecessor in Afghanistan, David Petraeus. Gen Petraeus was forced to resign as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency late last year.

The Pentagon’s inspector general, however, had cleared Gen Allen of any wrongdoing in the Kelly affair.