UPDATE - NATO's ex-chief Stoltenberg becomes Norway's finance minister

UPDATES WITH OFFICIAL STATEMENT; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE; EDITS THROUGH

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - NATO’s former Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has become Norway’s finance minister as part of a Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday.

Stoltenberg, whose term as NATO chief ended in October 2024 after a decade leading the alliance, said he is "deeply honored" to take on the role.

Stoltenberg's surprise appointment comes as part of a Cabinet reshuffle in Norway’s government. He will take Trygve Slagsvold Vedum's place as the finance minister.

Last week, the country’s ruling coalition collapsed after the eurosceptic Center Party split from the governing coalition over a dispute about EU energy directives.

According to a statement by the Norwegian government, a total of eight ministers have been replaced in the reshuffle.

Tore O. Sandvik has been appointed defense minister, replacing Bjorn Arild Gram, while Astri Aas-Hansen has become the new justice minister in Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store's new team.

Espen Barth Eide remains in office as foreign minister.

Stoltenberg was previously set to become the chair of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), a forum for debating international security, which begins next week.

Stoltenberg was asked to serve as Norway’s finance minister and will return to his role as MSC chair when he leaves public service, according to a statement by the forum early Tuesday.

"Having carefully considered the current challenges we face, I have decided to accept Prime Minister Store’s request to serve as his Minister of Finance," Stoltenberg said.