By AFP 29 June 2023 | 4:03 pm NATO countries have agreed to extend the mandate of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and will make a formal announcement next week, diplomats said Thursday. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (L) and European Council President Charles Michel (R) talk to the media as they arrive for a European Council Summit, at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on June 29, 2023. – EU leaders will the EU’s continued support to Ukraine, as well as the economy, security and defence, migration and external relations over the two-day summit. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) NATO countries have agreed to extend the mandate of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and will make a formal announcement next week, diplomats said Thursday. Former Norwegian premier Stoltenberg — at the helm of the Western military alliance since 2014 — already had his tenure prolonged a year, to October, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Multiple diplomats at NATO confirmed that its 31 member states had reached consensus to prolong the tenure of Stoltenberg, 64, for another year after struggling to find a suitable replacement by a summit in Lithuania in two weeks. Others seen as potential candidates, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and British Defence Minister Ben Wallace, have recently dropped out of contention. US ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith did not confirm any agreement. But she told journalists an announcement on the secretary general’s position would likely be made “in the days ahead”. “A possible extension of Jens Stoltenberg is an option that allies are looking at,” Smith said. Latest 2 hours ago Drivepadi, a leading car rental and peer-to-peer sharing platform, is excited to announce its official launch in Lagos. 1 day ago The management of Lekki Deep Sea Port has announced the arrival of the CMA CGM RIMBAUD, the first transshipment vessel to call at the container terminal of Lekki Deep Sea Port. 1 day ago ….As all Ward, LGA Chairmen declare Full Support Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo state has declared that his party will occupy Douglas House by November. Anyanwu, who is also the Party’s National secretary made this statement during a reconciliatory meeting with all the 305 Ward Chairmen,… 1 day ago President Bola Tinubu says he will not partake in the economic destruction of the country by enemies of the nation. 1 day ago Embattled Nigerian Afro-beat star, Davido, and his timeless album has continued to soar high on popular streaming platforms
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