U.S. General David Petraeus, who has been the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan for a year, has officially handed over command of the international alliance to his successor, U.S. General John Allen.

The transfer of power was conducted Monday at a ceremony in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Allen was most recently the deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command. He said Monday at the ceremony he wants to see Afghanistan become a secure and stable environment “free from the extremism and terrorism” that has plagued the country.

General Petraeus is leaving Afghanistan to take charge of the Central Intelligence Agency. He is replacing Leon Panetta, who became the U.S. defense secretary.