THE HAGUE, 02/11/06 - The Netherlands has taken command of the Regional Command South (RC-S) of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Major-General Ton van Loon took over the command yesterday from the Canadian General David Fraser.

This is the first time that a Dutch general has been given the responsibility for such a NATO command during a mission. As RC-S commander, Major-General Van Loon will lead the international force in the South Afghan provinces of Nimroz, Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Day Kundi and Zabul.

Military units are stationed in the six provinces from countries including the Netherlands, Canada, the UK, the US, Rumania, Australia and Denmark. It is their job to support the Afghan regime in reconstruction, creating a safe and stable environment and building up a good administration.

"A challenge," was how Van Look described his responsibilities during the transfer ceremony. "General Fraser and his team have laid an excellent basis in the past nine months on which I can build further."