US General Takes Over Command Of NATO Troops In Afghanistan

KABUL (AP)–U.S. Gen. Dan McNeil took over command of NATO-led troops in Afghanistan in a ceremony on Sunday.

McNeil replaced U.K. Gen. David Richards at the helm of the 35,500 strong force at the time when the Western alliance braces for a renewed fight with the resurgent Taliban militants.

During his nine months as commander of NATO’s International Stabilization and Assistance Force, Richards oversaw the bloodiest year in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

About 4,000 people died in insurgency-related violence in 2006, according to an Associated Press count based on numbers from U.S., NATO and Afghan officials.