KABUL, Afghanistan, June 03, SPA -- The American general who led the ground invasion of Iraq took command of the 40-nationNATO-led campaign in Afghanistan on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. Army Gen. David D. McKiernan took charge of the51,000-member International Security Assistance Force fromGen. Dan McNeill, who will retire from the U.S. Army after40 years. Addressing a change of command ceremony Tuesday, McKiernan said he was «honored to walk alongside our Afghanbrothers. » «While today marks a transition in commanders, themission must continue without missing a beat, » he said,listing security, reconstruction and development as thetypes of support that Afghanistan deserves. «Insurgents,foreign fighters, criminals and others who stand in the wayof that mission will be dealt with.» Afghan President Hamid Karzai welcomed McKiernan to thecountry. «Your task will not be easy,» Karzai warned. «But I'msure as good a soldier as you are, you will serve it well,together with Afghan officers and the Ministry ofDefense.» He asked McKiernan and other military commanders tocontinue to equip and train Afghan security forces so thecountry can eventually stand on its own.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/561773