French general takes over NATO command in Va.

By Slobodan Lekic - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jul 29, 2009 19:45:12 EDT

BRUSSELS — In an unprecedented move, a French general will take over a key NATO command in Norfolk, Virginia, charged with transforming the Europe-centered Cold War alliance to tackle today’s global challenges, NATO said Wednesday.

Gen. Stephane Abrial of the French Air Force will take over from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis as NATO’s commander in charge of military modernization, the alliance said in a statement.

The position has traditionally been held by a four-star U.S. general. Abrial’s appointment marks the first time in NATO’s 60-year history that a non-American officer has been appointed to fill the position.

“For NATO this is unprecedented,â€