Outgoing International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander General John R. Allen (L) hands over a flag to the new commander Joseph F. Dunford (C) at the change of command ceremony in Kabul Afghanistan, on Feb, 10. 2013. U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford on Sunday assumed the command of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the NATO-led coalition forces said. (Xinhua)
KABUL, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. general on Sunday assumed the command of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the NATO-led coalition forces said.
"U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen at a change of command ceremony today," the ISAF said in a press release issued here.
"Today is not about change, it's about continuity," said Gen. Dunford, addressing the audience on his vision for Afghanistan and the coalition. "I'll endeavor to continue the momentum of the campaign and support the people of Afghanistan as they seize the opportunity for a brighter future."
"Gen. Dunford takes over from his fellow Marine and friend of 35 years. Gen. Allen's 19 months at the helm, beginning in July 2011, make him the longest-serving ISAF commander in the 11-year- old campaign," the ISAF release added.
Under Allen's leadership, the Afghan National Security Forces, what Gen. Allen has called the "defeat mechanism of the insurgency, " reached their target strength of 352,000 and are now leading the vast majority of operations across the country, it noted.
The ceremony was attended by senior Afghan, NATO and U.S. officials, including German Army Gen. Hans-Lothar Domrose, Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum; U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, Commander, U.S. Central Command, the release said.
The Taliban has been waging an insurgency since its regime was toppled by a U.S-led invasion in late 2001.
Currently about 100,000 NATO-led forces, with nearly 66,000 of them Americans, are stationed in the country to stop the Taliban from returning to power.
KABUL, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The successive deadly attacks in the fortified Afghan capital Kabul over the past weeks which the Taliban has claimed responsibility has dashed hopes for peace and national reconciliation in the country, local observers here said. Full story
KABUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The year 2013 could be a challenging year for Afghanistan as the Taliban continued its attacks on government forces amid preparations for the upcoming presidential elections, according to an Afghan political analyst. Full story
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