WASHINGTON – General David Petraeus slumped at the witness table yesterday while testifying at a Senate hearing, and a spokesman said the general was likely dehydrated and jet-lagged from his travels.
Petraeus, 57, revived after a few seconds and left the room under his own power. After about 20 minutes he returned to the hearing room but Senator Carl Levin, the panel chairman, decided to postpone the hearing.
“It appears he was maybe a little jet-lagged, dehydrated certainly,” said Petraeus’ spokesman, Colonel Erik Gunhus.
Petraeus had finished telling Senator John McCain that he believed the planned 2011 drawdown of American troops in Afghanistan remains on track, and McCain was responding when the room fell silent and aides began crowding around the four-star general.
Petraeus, who oversees the war in Iraq and Afghanistan as head of United States Central Command, briefly put his head on the table, then rose, appearing dazed. He stood under his own power and was escorted from the room.
Petraeus was taken to another room, given something to eat and drink and was examined by a doctor, Gunhus said. Petraeus himself returned to the room briefly and told the senators he “was feeling a little bit lightheaded there”.
“It wasn’t Senator McCain’s question,” the general added.
Gunhus said Petraeus had not been ill recently, although he had just returned from a week-long overseas trip. Gunhus said Petraeus would continue his day as planned.(AP)
