From AP: Germany’s Lt. Gen. Markus Bentler says keeping a safe and secure environment “will be a huge challenge … with fewer forces.”

Bentler took over command on Monday of some 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers from Italian Lt. Gen. Emilio Gay. Bentler is NATO’s 14th commander of the force known as KFOR.

The alliance has said it will initially reduce its force to about 10,000 troops early next year and plans further reductions. (photo: DPA)