Lt Gen Petraeus has warned that the task in Iraq will be tough
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The US Senate has unanimously confirmed Lt-Gen David Petraeus as the commander of US forces in Iraq.
He takes over from Gen George Casey, whose replacement was announced by President George W Bush as part of a January shake-up.
Lt-Gen Petraeus has spent two of the last four years in Iraq.
The news came as the new Democrat Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, arrived in Iraq on a surprise visit.
'Not hopeless'
Lt-Gen Petraeus assumes control of US forces in Iraq as Mr Bush prepares to commit thousands more soldiers in a bid to curb the rising violence.
Lt-Gen Petraeus was unanimously approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.
A career soldier, he graduated from the West Point military academy in 1974 and was commissioned in the infantry.
He has served in the Europe and the Middle East and was commander of the 101st Airborne Division during the invasion of Iraq.
Speaking to the senate committee on Tuesday, he said that the task in Iraq was a tough one.
"The situation in Iraq is dire. The stakes are high. There are no easy choices. The way ahead will be very hard," he said.
"But hard is not hopeless."