Marine General Joseph Dunford replaces General John Allen, who had been in the role since July 2011, making him the longest-serving commander of the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF.

 

　　At a ceremony in the capital Kabul, Allen handed the ISAF flag over to a NATO representative who then handed it over to Dunford.

 

　　In a speech, Allen mentioned some of the guidance he had given to his successor.

 

　　"The advice that I gave him was to do all he can to understand the complexity of this ancient society of Afghanistan. To recognize that in all of its complexity, the principles of democracy come naturally to Afghans - perhaps even easier than it came to us."

 

　　Dunford said the day's events were about continuity.

 

　　"What's not changed is the will of this coalition. What’s not changed is the discipline and the spirit of the team. What's not changed is the growing capability of our Afghan partners, the Afghan National Security Forces."

 

　　Dunford takes over the commandership at a critical time for US President Barack Obama and the military as foreign combat forces prepare to withdraw by the end of next year.