Gen. John Allen pushed out of top NATO post?

This transcript is automatically generated

But we're getting some new information about general John Allen's plans to retire as NATO's supreme commander in your up.

And this decision avoids what could have been -- heated to read confirmation battle.

That likely -- raised the issue of -- emails.

With Tampa socialite Jill Kelly you remember all that involving the former head of the CIA General Petraeus.

National security correspondent Jennifer Griffin live at the Pentagon what is the latest you're hearing about general Allen in this decision Jennifer.

Well remember John.

General John Allen was supposed to leave as the top commander in USA Afghanistan and go to become the supreme allied commander.

In Europe but that's when the Jill Kelly.

Emails interfered with that there was a pentagon inspector general and in an investigation into those emails eventually he was cleared by that investigation so it looked like his nomination was going to go forward.

But -- but our White House correspondent Ed Henry heard from sources yesterday that in fact.

General Allen was being pushed out that he was in fact not.

Going to be renominated as the it's supreme allied commander in Europe and go to NATO headquarters and that he would in fact be retiring.

The Defense Department is pushing back on that characterization suggesting -- Leon Panetta the Defense Secretary met with general Allen just days ago here's what Panetta said yesterday.

The opportunity to meet with them yesterday.

My -- my recommendation to him was take your time.

You know be with your family.

Think about what you need to do I think your country will always find.

-- way to make use of your great services but you've got to make the decision.

Has to what you want to do in the future.

Again the Pentagon has not confirming that general Allen.

Is out and no longer.

-- in the running for that position or that he is retiring however sources that Ed Henry has spoken to.

Say that the general will be retiring and that.

He has taken his name out of the nomination process.

For that -- our position in Europe because he worries about a bruising confirmation process that would bring up these Jill Kelly emails which -- Which we were told at the time were inappropriate.

And and would be embarrassing if if he had to be questioned about them John.

All right so what happens next -- and if Leon Panetta is leaving the Pentagon.

Who makes -- these decisions.

Well Leon Panetta was supposed to be leaving the Pentagon and his successor.

Chuck Hagel.

Is now caught up in -- confirmation.

-- difficulties on Capitol Hill as you know there with a filibuster yesterday.

It is -- unclear whether they will be able to manage the number of votes needed to pass him as Defense Secretary.

Just a few moments ago here at the Pentagon.

Leon Panetta said that his office is -- he's ready to go but we're told by senior defense officials that he will stay in place.

And that he will remain in place until his successor is approved and sworn in John.

Interest in -- -- that California will retirement we'll have to wait for Leon Panetta.

Jennifer Griffin it's been -- thank you.

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Gen. John Allen pushed out of top NATO post?

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