NATO appoints U.S. Navy officer new top military commander

Source: Xinhua | 05-13-2009 08:06

BRUSSELS, May 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis has been appointed NATO's top military commander, the alliance said Tuesday.

Stavridis replaces Army General Bantz J. Craddock, who had served in the post since December 2006.

"NATO's Defense Planning Committee has agreed to the requests from (U.S.) President Barack H. Obama to release General Bantz J. Craddock, United States Army, from his responsibilities as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and to appoint Admiral James G. Stavridis, United States Navy, to succeed General Craddock as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe," NATO said in a statement.

Stavridis would be the first Navy officer to hold the post. Stavridis will command unified operations in Afghanistan, peacekeeping forces in Kosovo and anti-piracy efforts off the coast of Somalia.

A NATO spokesman said the change of command was scheduled for July 2.

Traditionally, an American officer commands NATO's military forces, while a European heads its political headquarters in Brussels.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei