U.S. general hands over command in Afghanistan

U.S. General David Petraeus, who has been the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan for a year, has officially handed over command. VOA reports that new commander of the international alliance is U.S. General John Allen. U.S. general hands over command in Afghanistan The transfer of power was conducted Monday at a ceremony in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Allen was most recently the deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command. He said Monday at the ceremony he wants to see Afghanistan become a secure and stable environment "free from the extremism and terrorism" that has plagued the country. General Petraeus is leaving Afghanistan to take charge of the Central Intelligence Agency. He is replacing Leon Panetta, who became the U.S. defense secretary. Meanwhile, violence continues in Afghanistan. NATO said three of its service members were killed Monday in an explosion in the eastern part of the country. John Allen (Beta/AP)

U.S. general hands over command in Afghanistan

The transfer of power was conducted Monday at a ceremony in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Allen was most recently the deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command. He said Monday at the ceremony he wants to see Afghanistan become a secure and stable environment "free from the extremism and terrorism" that has plagued the country.

General Petraeus is leaving Afghanistan to take charge of the Central Intelligence Agency. He is replacing Leon Panetta, who became the U.S. defense secretary.

Meanwhile, violence continues in Afghanistan. NATO said three of its service members were killed Monday in an explosion in the eastern part of the country.