The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted to approve the nomination of General David Petraeus to command US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The unanimous vote capped a one-day confirmation hearing for Petraeus, who was tapped last week to replace the ousted General Stanley McChrystal. During his testimony on Tuesday, Petraeus affirmed recent Obama administration statements that a proposed July 2011 drawdown deadline is in fact a goal that could be ignored.

Gen. David Petraeus: “It is important to note the President’s reminder in recent days that July 2011 will mark the beginning of a process, not the date when the US heads for the exits and turns out the lights. As he explained this past Sunday, in fact, we will need to provide assistance to Afghanistan for a long time to come.”

Later in the hearing, Petraeus also vowed to review directives limiting US bombings that were billed as an attempt to reduce Afghan civilian casualties. Critics from within the military have argued the restrictions have endangered US lives.

Gen. David Petraeus: “I mention this because I am keenly aware of concerns by some of our troopers on the ground about the application of our rules of engagement and the tactical directive. They should know that I will look very hard at this issue.”

Petraeus’s nomination now goes before the full Senate.