WASHINGTON — Gen. David Petraeus, who oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as head of U.S. Central Command, slumped at the witness table during a Senate hearing Tuesday.
Petraeus, 57, revived after a few seconds and left the hearing room under his own power. After about 20 minutes, he returned, but the panel chairman postponed the hearing.
“It appears he was maybe a little jet- lagged; dehydrated, certainly,” said Petraeus’ spokesman, Col. Erik Gunhus.
Petraeus had finished telling Sen. John McCain that he believed the planned 2011 drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan remains on track, and McCain was responding when aides began crowding Petraeus, who briefly put his head on the table, then rose, appearing dazed. He stood under his own power and was taken to another room, was given something to eat and drink and was examined by a doctor. The Associated Press
