Pakistan names new army commander

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25117640

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Pakistan has appointed Lieutenant General Raheel Sharif as its new army head - one of the country's most powerful positions - military sources have told the BBC.

Lt Gen Sharif replaces Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who retires on Thursday.

The government has also named Lieutenant General Rashid Mahmood as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC).

The two posts are seen as crucial in the battle against the Taliban.

They are also seen as important because the army has always had a significant political role in Pakistan.

Correspondents say Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will have carefully considered his appointment of Lt Gen Sharif - who is not related to him - because the prime minister has twice had run-ins with the military during previous terms in office.

In 1999 Mr Sharif was forced from office in a military take-over led by General Pervez Musharraf.

In 1993 army chief Abdul Waheed Kakar spearheaded efforts to get Mr Sharif to resign and hold elections of that year.

Little is so far known about Lt Gen Sharif , correspondents say, apart from the fact that his brother was one of the army's most decorated soldiers and was killed in the 1971 war with India.

The new army chief is expected to continue Gen Kayani's policies and will avoid overt interference in politics.

More to follow.