NAIROBI, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Rear Admiral James Hart would assume the command of Washington's anti-terror taskforce base in Djibouti next week, the U.S. embassy in Nairobi announced on Wednesday.

    Washington said the Navy veteran will take over on Feb. 14 from Richard Hunt who has led the central command since April last year.

    "Following a successful 10-month tour, Admiral Hunt has been reassigned to the Pentagon as director of surface warfare, N-86,in the office of the chief of naval operations," the statement said.

    A native New Yorker, Admiral Hart assumes command of an organization with a mission to conduct unified action in the Horn of Africa.

    The announcement came as U.S. President George W. Bush approved plans to create a U.S. military command for Africa, a move that reflects increased strategic interest in the continent.

    Bush said he had asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to get the new command, known as Africom, up and running by the end of September 2008.