KABUL, Afghanistan, July 25 (UPI) -- Ryan Crocker officially took over Monday as the new U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, succeeding Karl W. Eikenberry.
Crocker is taking his assignment at a time when U.S. and other NATO forces have begun winding down their operations in preparation for handing over the security of the country to the Afghan army and police by 2014.
During his swearing-in in Kabul, Crocker told other diplomats the United States is not "rushing for the exits," The Washington Post reported.
In 2002, Crocker helped reopen the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and since then its strength has grown from about 200 to more than 1,100 people, many of whom will now help strengthen governance in Afghanistan and its development, the Post said.
"It's time for us to step back and for the Afghans to step forward," Crocker was quoted as saying.
The United States also has a new military commander in Afghanistan. Gen. John Allen took over the U.S. and NATO command last week from Gen. David Petraeus, who has been appointed director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
President Barack Obama has said that 10,000 U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan by the end of this year, with another 23,000 departing by September of 2012.
More than 1,540 U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
