Marine Robert Harward rejected Trump's offer for National Security Advisor position

Respected former Marine Robert Harward rejected President Donald Trump's generous offer to replace Michael Flynn, who resigned earlier this week as National Security Advisor, agencies report, as carried by Patria.

Harward, who is currently the executive director of Lockheed Martin, told the Associated Press, which contacted him on Thursday evening, that he cited personal and financial reasons for not accepting the offer.

- It is purely a personal reason, Harward said. "After 40 years in the military, I am finally in a position to enjoy time to myself."

Two sources close to Harward told Reuters that Harward rejected the position partly because he wanted to bring in his own team. This would not have suited Trump, as he had already told KT McFarland, Flynn's deputy, that she could stay.

Harward, former deputy commander of the Central Command and a retired Marine with operational experience in Afghanistan and the Middle East, was considered for a White House position as one of the president's five special assistants even before the National Security Advisor position.

Sources state that candidates for the advisor position also include former CIA Director and retired 4-star general David Petraeus, and Keith Kellogg, the acting National Security Advisor.