New US general to take over Afghanistan command

US general Stanley McChrystal will take charge of US and Nato troops in Afghanistan today, in a change of command the Pentagon hopes will turn the tide in the eight-year war.

Four-star general McChrystal, who has a long history in special operations, will take command from General David McKiernan during a low-key ceremony at the heavily fortified headquarters of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force in central Kabul.