BERLIN -NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will take over from German diplomat Christoph Heusgen as chair of the Munich Security Conference, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

The event, known as the "Davos for defence", is a major international forum for political and military leaders and takes place once a year in the German city of Munich.

Stoltenberg will step down in October from his role at NATO, which he has held since 2014, with former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced in June as the organisation's next boss.

Asked about the report, a NATO official, who declined to be named, said: "We do not comment on rumours. Mr. Stoltenberg is fully focused on the completion of his tenure as NATO Secretary General."

  - Reuters