Obama, McChrystal finish Oval Office meeting; General leaves White House ahead of war session

Obama, McChrystal conclude Oval Office talk

WASHINGTON — Afghanistan war commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal has left the White House after a closed meeting with President Barack Obama to explain his inflammatory remarks about civilian leaders. There was no immediate word on whether Obama would fire him.

McChrystal departed the White House before Obama convened a regularly scheduled war planning meeting there. Officials had indicated earlier that McChrystal was summoned back to Washington from Afghanistan to explain at that war meeting the disparaging remarks he made about the Obama administration in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Obama and McChrystal met for about 30 minutes before McChrystal was seen leaving the White House.

Before the meeting, two military officials said McChrystal went in prepared to submit his resignation. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Obama was expected to make an announcement on McChrystal’s future later Wednesday.

“I think it’s clear that the article in which he and his team appeared … showed poor judgment,” Obama said Tuesday at the close of an unrelated Cabinet meeting. “But I also want to make sure that I talk to him directly before I make any final decisions.”

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Afghanistan war commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal has completed a closed-door meeting with President Barack Obama and has left the White House. There was no immediate word on whether Obama would fire him for his inflammatory comments in a magazine interview.

Significantly, McChrystal departed the White House before Obama convened a regularly scheduled war planning meeting there. Officials had indicated earlier that McChrystal was summoned back to Washington from Afghanistan to explain at that session disparaging remarks he made about civilian leaders in an interview with Rolling Stone.