Nato Names Norway's Stoltenberg As Next Chief

Nato has appointed former Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg as its next Secretary-General.

The Western military alliance confirmed on Friday that Mr Stoltenberg will take the helm on October 1, replacing current head Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Mr Rasmussen used Twitter to congratulate his fellow Scandinavian politician.

He described him as: "The right man to build on Nato's record of strength and success."

Given the current crisis in Ukraine, there is "a continued strong and determined leadership of Nato," he added.

Mr Rasmussen is to step down after a Nato summit in Wales later this year, ending more than five years as head of the 28-nation alliance.

Mr Stoltenberg, 55, was the only candidate to replace him.

The two-time Norwegian prime minister was in office at the time of right-wing fanatic Anders Breivik's twin attacks in 2011.

He won praise on the international political scene for his dignified handling of the atrocities, which left 77 people dead.

In a statement, current Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg welcomed his appointment, saying Nato was getting "a strong and unifying Secretary-General.

"It is a huge and responsible task Stoltenberg has received today," she said.

Russia's recent moves on the Crimean Peninsula means Nato's authority in Europe is facing one of its biggest challenges in recent years.