Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian Ministry of Defense: 37 Ukrainian drones destroyed in 4 hours over regions of Russia and the Black Sea.
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.

Dutch PM Rutte appointed as next head of NATO

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 26 Jun 2024 15:31
2 Min Read

"Leading this organisation is a responsibility I do not take lightly," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte wrote online following his appointment as NATO's next secretary general.

Listen
  • x
  • Then NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg greets then Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during arrivals for a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11, 2023. (AP)0
    NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg greets then-Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during arrivals for a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11, 2023. (AP)

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been appointed as NATO's next secretary-general on Wednesday, acquiring an important position during a critical time amid the Russia-Ukraine war and the upcoming US elections. 

“I warmly welcome NATO allies’ choice of Mark Rutte as my successor,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on X.

I warmly welcome #NATO Allies' choice of @MinPres Mark Rutte as my successor. Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader and a consensus-builder. I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO.

I know I am leaving NATO in good hands.https://t.co/D0ass7fKiL

— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) June 26, 2024

For his part, Rutte wrote on X, "The alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security," adding, "Leading this organisation is a responsibility I do not take lightly."

Rutte is poised to take over the position of NATO Secretary General on October 1.

Related News

Rutte causes stir calling Trump 'Daddy' at NATO summit

Erdogan vows to work toward a Syria free of terrorism

It is a tremendous honour to be appointed Secretary-General of NATO. The Alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security. Leading this organisation is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I’m grateful to all the Allies for placing their trust in me. I…

— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) June 26, 2024

The Dutch PM faced various obstacles during his candidacy, mostly in obtaining the support of Turkey and Hungary.

In April, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with Rutte, over the phone, the conditions that need to be met for Turkey to support Rutte's candidacy for the NATO secretary general position.

Rutte secured NATO position after Hungary deal

Hungary’s Prime Minister Victor Orban backed Rutte's candidacy after the Dutch prime minister gave written guarantees that he would not force the country to take part in the military alliance’s new plans to provide support to Ukraine.

Rutte wrote to Orban, "I am aware of the outcome of talks between Jens Stoltenberg [the current secretary-general] and you regarding NATO’s support for Ukraine. It is my understanding that you stressed that no Hungarian personnel would take part in these activities and no Hungarian funds would be used to support them."

The 57-year-old Dutch leader also stated that he would honor the commitment made to Hungary, saying, "In a possible future capacity as Nato secretary general, I will fully support this outcome of the talks,” and added, “I look forward to our future engagement – whatever that might be."

Rutte's appointment was welcomed by multiple leaders, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and US President Joe Biden, who will formally welcome him at an upcoming summit in Washington.

  • The Netherlands
  • Nato
  • Holland
  • Nato Alliance
  • Jens Stoltenberg
  • NATO Secretary-General
  • Mark Rutte

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS