BRUSSELS - Dutch Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has been named new secretary general of NATO.

He replaces the UK's George Robertson, who is standing down in December after four years.

De Hoop Scheffer, 55, of the Dutch Christian Democrat party, has pledged to modernize the alliance.

He saw off a challenge from Canada's candidate, John Manley, who failed to win enough support from European nations.