Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Petraeus Assumes Command of US, NATO Forces in Afghanistan

   VOA News 04 July 2010
   Gen.  David  Petraeus,  the  new  commander of U.S. and NATO forces in
   Afghanistan  gives  a  speech at the Independence Day celebrations, in
   Kabul, 03 Jul 2010

Photo: AP

   Gen.  David  Petraeus,  the  new  commander of U.S. and NATO forces in
   Afghanistan  gives  a  speech at the Independence Day celebrations, in
   Kabul, 03 Jul 2010

   U.S.  General  David  Petraeus  has  formally  assumed  command of the
   140,000 U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
   At  a  change-of-command ceremony Sunday at the NATO-led International
   Security  Assistance  Force  headquarters  in Kabul, Petraeus said the
   nearly  9-year  war has reached a critical stage.  He said "we are in
   this to win."
   Petraeus  replaces General Stanley McChrystal who was fired last month
   for remarks he and his aides made to a magazine.
   Petraeus  said  the  change  in command does not signal a shift in the
   strategy  of  making  the protection of the Afghan people the focus of
   the military mission. Â
   Petraeus arrived in Kabul Friday.  He is under pressure to help bring
   security  to  Afghanistan  by  defeating a growing Taliban insurgency,
   while  at  the  same  time planning an exit strategy to draw down U.S.
   forces by next year.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

.