Siemens hires former US top Gen. McChrystal

BERLIN (AP) - German industrial giant Siemens AG says it has hired the former top American commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal as chairman of a new division that aims to secure more U.S. government contracts.

The company said Monday that McChrystal will be board chairman of Siemens Government Technologies, Inc. Former U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Sylvester and retired Lockheed Martin Corp. and General Electric Co. executive Robert Coutts will also sit on the board.

McChrystal was abruptly relieved of his command in Afghanistan in June 2010 for comments in a magazine story.

Siemens quotes McChrystal as saying that he is "proud to join" the company, which offers solutions for infrastructure, energy efficiency and health care projects.