It's Sir Tommy, If You Please...

The US commander of the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has received an honorary knighthood.

Former US General Tommy Franks, who planned and headed up the operations, was given the honour in a private ceremony, the Ministry of Defence said.

General Franks, who retired last year, was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

The award was "in recognition of Iraq and Afghanistan where he had UK troops under his command," the MoD said.

Secrecy questioned

The ceremony for the 58-year-old Texan was attended by his wife, Cathy, and Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon.

Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Paul Keetch questioned why the award had been kept confidential.

General Franks, who served in Vietnam, stepped down in 2003 after three years as head of the US military's Central Command.

He took up the post days before al-Qaeda attacked the American warship USS Cole in a Yemeni harbour, killing 17 American sailors.

Tactics praised

In the Iraq campaign he saw off many of the critics who described him as leaden-footed and too conventional.

Other praised him for making dramatic use of US special forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He preferred to use speedy tactics above amassing overwhelming force - an approach which enabled Baghdad to be taken in three weeks.

In the war's initial stages he was lauded by the Pentagon and White House for running efficient campaigns while coalition casualties were at a minimum.

He joins former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, ex-President Ronald Reagan, Secretary of State Colin Powell and director Steven Spielberg in receiving the award.

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