Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte becomes next Nato secretary general

The Dutch premier will take over from the current secretary general, Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, on October 1.

Mark Rutte’s appointment comes at a critical time for European security (Niall Carson/PA)

Nato has appointed Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte as its next secretary general.

The outgoing leader of the Netherlands will take charge of the world’s biggest security organisation at a critical time for European security as war rages in Ukraine.