French general takes NATO role

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- French Gen. Stephane Abrial has succeeded U.S. Gen. James Mattis as NATO's supreme allied commander, the alliance announced Thursday.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen formally carried out the change of command on board the carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower near Allied Command Transformation headquarters in Norfolk, Va.

Before Abrial, the Strategic Command had been headed by U.S. commanders.

In his capacity as SACT, he will lead the transformation and updating of NATO's military structure, forces, capabilities and doctrine.