**The commander of US forces in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, is to be given expanded authority over US and Nato forces, officials say.**The move means that he will be in charge of all but a small number of US special operations forces and some support troops from other nations.
In 2009 Gen McChrystal set out a new Afghan strategy focusing on protecting civilians and counter-insurgency.
Correspondents say this expansion gives him an unprecedented level of control.
It places him as the undisputed leader of about 121,000 international troops in the country. They are being joined over the next few months by a further 30,000 US soldiers.
US, Afghan and Nato forces are currently engaged in an offensive against Taliban fighters entrenched in southern Helmand province.
The general “will have US operational control of all US forces less a small number of special operations forces,” an American defence official told the AFP news agency.
Officials in Washington say the move is designed to streamline the military hierarchy under Gen McChrystal - giving him “operational and tactical” control - and to achieve greater unity of effort.
The changes were ordered by the head of US Central Command, Gen David Petraeus.