Turkish diplomat named NATO's representative in Afghanistan

Turkey's top diplomat in Afghanistan has been appointed as NATO's senior representative in the war-torn country, the Turkish foreign ministry and the military alliance said today.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has appointed Ambassador Ismail Aramaz as the next senior civilian representative in Afghanistan and he is expected to take up his new post early next year, NATO said in a press release.
Aramaz will play an "integral role" in the NATO's new training and support mission named "Resolute Support" as the alliance's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) will finish operations at the end of the year, it added.
Aramaz's appointment reflects Turkey's "pioneer role" in NATO activities, the Turkish foreign ministry said.

The appointment comes amid tensions between the United States and Turkey -- NATO's only majority Muslim member -- over Ankara's limited role in the fight against jihadists in Iraq and Syria.