US Marines' new chief opposes lifting ban on gays

"There's risk involved," General James Amos told The Los Angeles Times. "I'm trying to determine how to measure that risk. This is not a social thing. This is combat effectiveness."

Amos, who assumed command of the elite force two week ago from General James Conway, said he was worried about the impact on unit cohesion and readiness of an end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The 1993 law was a compromise that forbids gays from serving openly in the military, but also is supposed to bar the military from questioning troops about their sexual orientation.

Critics say the ban infringes on the civil rights of gay soldiers, and a US judge recently ordered its suspension but an appeals court has stayed the decision indefinitely.