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US general assumes Afghan command US general assumes Afghan command
(about 11 hours later)
The next leader of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, has taken over command there. A former US special forces commander has taken charge of nearly 90,000 US and Nato-led troops in Afghanistan.
He takes over from Gen David McKiernan, who was sacked by the US defence secretary after one year and whose time coincided with a surge in violence. Gen Stanley McChrystal, who will oversee US President Obama's strategy of increasing troops in Afghanistan, said success will not be quick or easy.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai told Gen McChrystal the priority would be to reduce civilian casualties. He takes over from Gen David McKiernan, who was sacked by the US defence secretary after a year and whose time coincided with a surge in violence.
Gen McChrystal has said his measure of effectiveness would be "the number of Afghans shielded from violence". The change in command comes amid growing anger over civilian deaths.
'Practical measures' The BBC's Mark Dummett in Kabul says Gen McChrystal is expected to bring a more unconventional and dynamic approach to the war.
Gen McChrystal is a four-star general and former special forces commander. Nato and US troops have struggled to contain the Taliban insurgency in recent years. Presidential elections are due in August.
The handover took place in a low-key ceremony at the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force HQ in Kabul on Monday. 'No silver bullet'
Gen McChrystal will now command 56,000 US troops and 32,000 Nato-led forces currently in the country. Gen McChrystal said 2009 would be a critical year for the success of the mission in Afghanistan.
"There is no simple solution, no silver bullet," he told those present at a low-key ceremony at the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force HQ in Kabul.
"The situation is complicated and success will not be quick or easy. This effort will try our endurance, challenge habits and processes with which we are comfortable and force us to adapt the way we operate.
"Doubtless we will make mistakes but we will focus and learn and learn quickly."
Gen McChrystal, a four-star general, will now command 56,000 US troops and 32,000 Nato-led forces currently in Afghanistan.
But he will also oversee US President Barack Obama's new strategy of increasing troops in Afghanistan as forces in Iraq are drawn down.But he will also oversee US President Barack Obama's new strategy of increasing troops in Afghanistan as forces in Iraq are drawn down.
On Sunday, Mr Karzai's office said the Afghan government would "fully co-operate" with the "very important goal" of reducing civilian casualties.On Sunday, Mr Karzai's office said the Afghan government would "fully co-operate" with the "very important goal" of reducing civilian casualties.
Gen McChrystal pledged "practical measures to prevent civilian casualties during counterinsurgency operations". Gen McChrystal has pledged "practical measures to prevent civilian casualties during counter-insurgency operations".
The issue has been a key source of friction between Afghanistan and the foreign forces. The issue has been a key source of friction between Afghanistan and foreign forces.
Nato and US troops are struggling to contain the Taliban insurgency in the country. On Sunday Gen McChrystal met President Hamid Karzai, who told him that US and Nato-led forces need to do more to protect civilians.
Last week, Gen McChrystal told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme that counter-insurgency was key. In his speech Gen McChrystal acknowledged this, and said that without the trust of the Afghan people, foreign forces in Afghanistan would lose.
"When we are in position, one of the things we'll do is review all of our rules of engagement and all the instructions to our units, with the emphasis that we are fighting for the population.
"That involves protecting them both from the enemy and from unintended consequences of our operation, because we know that although an operation may be conducted for the right reason, if it has negative effects it can have a negative outcome for everyone."
Among the 400 senior staff Gen McChrystal will bring with him to Afghanistan will be Adm Gregory Smith who has been assigned to improve communications efforts.