29/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - Xavier Bout de Marnhac was appointed on 27 July to head the rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX). The decision was taken by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) after the recommendation made by the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton. Born in 1951, Xavier Bout de Marnhac was, among other things, qualified at the military school in Saint-Cyr and the Command and General Staff College (C&GSC) in Fort Leavenworth in the United States. He was commander of the NATO force in Kosovo (KFOR, 2007-2008), and director of the “operations” directorate of the national intelligence service (1999-2004). At the head of the mission, Bout de Marnhac will replace another French national, Yves de Kermabon. He is expected to take up his post on 15 October. (A.By./transl.jl)