Nato chief to stay in post until 2014

Nato allies have agreed to extend secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s term by a year to the end of July 2014, keeping him…

Nato allies have agreed to extend secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s term by a year to the end of July 2014, keeping him in charge as Nato-led forces wind down their combat role in Afghanistan.

Mr Rasmussen, a 59-year-old former Danish prime minister, will stay in the job until a few months before the end-2014 deadline for Nato to hand over full responsibility for security in the country to Afghans.

“I think the first of August 2014 is an appropriate time to change leadership, so that a new secretary-general can oversee the implementation of the new mission we will establish in Afghanistan from 2015,” said Mr Rasmussen.

The Nato-led force in Afghanistan faces a huge task over the next few years to withdraw foreign soldiers and their equipment. – (Reuters)

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