'I Extend My Sincerest Apology for This Profile'

Bid farewell to General McChrystal. As much contempt as he may have for Obama, you just don't say this stuff in public. Of course were he criticizing Bush publicly, the left would be creaming their shorts with glee.

The top U.S. general in Afghanistan has apologised today for a magazine interview in which he mocks senior White House officials and diplomats.

General Stanley McChrystal said the article in this week's Rolling Stone showed 'poor judgement' and a lack of integrity.

In it he said he felt betrayed by the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, and was 'disappointed' after his first Oval Office meeting with President Barack Obama.

He has been recalled to Washington by the President in the wake of the article, according to ABC News.

The general's aides also mock Vice-President Joe Biden and said he failed to 'connect' with Mr Obama, despite voting for him in the presidential election.

The article, entitled The Runaway General, is due out on Friday but General McChrystal has attempted to preempt the damage it causes.

The general says: 'I like Karl (Eikenberry), I've known him for years, but they'd never said anything like that to us before.

'Here's one that covers his flank for the history books. Now if we fail, they can say, "I told you so".'

Gen McChrystal also jokes in response to a question about the vice-president.

He said: 'Are you asking about Vice-President Biden? Who's that?'

Another aide refers to an Oval Office meeting with the president a year ago, which he describes as a '10-minute photo op'.

The aide adds: 'Obama clearly didn't know anything about him, who he was... he didn't seem very engaged.

'The boss was pretty disappointed.'

In a statement from Kabul, General McChrystal said today: 'I extend my sincerest apology for this profile.

'It was a mistake reflecting poor judgement and should never have happened.'

'Throughout my career, I have lived by the principles of personal honour and professional inquiry. What is reflected in this article falls far short of that standard.

'I have enormous respect and admiration for President Obama and his national security team and for the civilian leaders and troops fighting this war and I remain committed to ensuring its successful outcome.'

He obviously doesn't believe that but it's too late now.