Belgrade, Pristina: The Italian General Giuseppe Emilio Gay yesterday assumed control of the international peacekeeping force in Kosovo. The New KFOR commander, Gay took over command from French Lieutenant General Xavier Bout de Marnhac.

The commander of Joint NATO Command in Naples, U.S. Admiral Mark Fitzgerald led the handover ceremony, which was also attended by UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier, Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, and International Civil Representative Pieter Feith. The KFOR commander’s tenure lasts for one year.

The Kosovo peacekeeping contingent numbers over 16,000, and It will continue operating in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Kumanovo Agreement.