Norway ex-PM Jens Stoltenberg named new NATO chief

The NATO decided Friday to appoint Jens Stoltenberg as secretary general of NATO and chairman of the North Atlantic Council, in succession to Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Stoltenberg will assume his functions as secretary general from Oct 1, 2014, when the present NATO chief Fogh Rasmussen will step down, Xinhua reported citing a NATO statement.

"Warm congratulations to Jens Stoltenberg on his appointment as my successor," said Rasmussen in a Twitter message. "The Ukraine and Russia crisis shows need for continued strong and determined leadership of NATO."

"I've known Jens Stoltenberg for many years and know he's the right man to build on NATO's record of strength and success after the NATO summit in the UK," Rasmussen added.