US General Takes Command Of NATO Mission In Afghanistan

US Army General Austin Scott Miller has assumed command of the 41-nation NATO mission in Afghanistan following a handover ceremony.

General Miller took over on Sunday from General John Nicholson, who held the post for more than two years, at a ceremony attended by senior Afghan officials and foreign ambassadors.

In his opening address General Miller paid tribute to the generations of Afghan and international soldiers who have seen service:

"How often do we come together globally for a common cause? The world recognises Afghanistan cannot be a safe haven for terrorism. The world recognises we cannot fail."

The handover comes at a time when Afghan forces are struggling to contain a resurgent Taliban and an increasingly powerful Islamic State affiliate.

The Taliban control several districts across Afghanistan and both groups have launched a relentless wave of attacks in recent months.

Additional British personnel have recently arrived in the country, as part of an additional 440-troop commitment the Prime Minister made to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan in July.

General Miller told the handover ceremony the coalition needed to keep fighting to secure the safety of Afghanistan and the rest of the world:

"Know that what you are all doing here is vitally important."

"It's important to all of our families. All of our countries. And our future."

The NATO mission began with the US-led invasion that toppled the Taliban after the September 11 attacks.

The US and NATO formally ended their combat mission in 2014 but still routinely come to the aid of Afghan forces.