New NATO chief takes up post

Former Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen began his first day at NATO headquarters as new NATO secretary-general on Monday. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, new NATO secretary general, arrives on his first day working at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, capital of Belgium, on Aug. 3, 2009. Rasmussen took up his duties on Monday although his tenure officially started on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) Upon his arrival, Rasmussen was greeted by Deputy Secretary General Claudio Bisogniero, Dean of the decision-making North Atlantic Council, Per Poulsen-Hansen, and chairman of the Military Committee, Adm. Giampaolo di Paola. Rasmussen did not speak to reporters. Later on Monday, he will give a press conference, outlining his priorities. Rasmussen's tenure officially starts on Aug. 1. His predecessor Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stepped down last Thursday. VietNamNet/Xinhuanet