Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has been summoned back to Washington for his criticizing remarks of senior Obama administration officials and diplomats, ABC News reported on Tuesday.

The U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan U.S. General Stanley McChrystal wears earplugs as he leaves by helicopter after a meeting between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and tribal leaders in Kandahar city June 13, 2010. [Xinhua]

McChrystal was recalled to explain his controversial comments about colleagues in a recent interview. The general will attend the monthly White House meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan in person on Wednesday, instead of attending the meeting over a video teleconference as previously scheduled, ABC quoted officials as saying.

The top general issued a statement for apology hours after the article entitled "The Runaway General" was released Monday.

McChrystal in the article, due out on Friday on the Rolling Stone magazine, said he felt betrayed by U.S. ambassador to Kabul Karl Eikenberry. His aides also mocked Vice President Joe Biden and said McChrystal was "disappointed" in President Barack Obama.

"I extend my sincerest apology for this profile," McChrystal said in the statement seeking to limit damage. "It was a mistake reflecting poor judgment and should never have happened."

"Throughout my career, I have lived by the principles of personal honor and professional integrity. What is reflected in this article falls far short of that standard," he said.

"I have enormous respect and admiration for President Obama and his national security team and for the civilian leaders and troops fighting this war and I remain committed to ensuring its successful outcome."

NATO spokesman James Appathurai said in a statement on Tuesday that "the Rolling Stone article is rather unfortunate," but NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen "has full confidence in General McChrystal as the NATO commander, and in his strategy."

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