NATO's new chief takes up post

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Former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has officially taken over as NATO's new secretary general. NATO's new chief was due to outline his priorities in Brussels today.

Success in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan is considered to be high on his agenda. His predecessor, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer had repeatedly warned that the war in Afghanistan represents a crucial test of the power and relevance of the 60-year-old alliance. NATO has about 64-thousand soldiers in Afghanistan, struggling to contain a rising Taliban insurgency.

Meanwhile, the alliance's evolving anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia, NATO expansion and relations with Russia are also important issues for the new chief.

Former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has officially taken over as NATO's new secretary general.