General doesn’t expect new command to make big changes in Afghan battle rules

General doesn’t expect big change in battle rules

WASHINGTON — The No. 2 general in Afghanistan says he doesn’t expect significant changes in battlefield rules now that there has been a change of command for the war.

The new commander, Gen. David Petraeus, is reviewing guidelines on aerial bombings and other tactics that were designed to cut civilian casualties but have been criticized as tying the hands of troops.

But the general who runs the war day to day — U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez — told a Pentagon news conference Wednesday that he doesn’t foresee significant changes. Rodriguez also said he’s not aware of any case in which air support was denied when troops needed it for protection.