Tanner, who has been a member of the assembly for many years, will, as president, now preside over the group's two annual plenary sessions, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported.

The NATO assembly is comprised of 248 legislators from the 26 member countries, who discuss major security issues and common concerns of alliance members.

Tanner spokesman Randy Ford told the newspaper it has yet to be determined how much time the congressman will spend in Washington and his district north of Memphis versus his NATO duties.