The United States military's controversial new Africa Command [Africom] was officially launched yesterday, to take over all US military operations for Africa.The new command is headed by General William Ward.

Before its take off, American military operations in Africa were under the supervision of three different commands. Before Africom's take off, the US military's Central Command (Centcom) had responsibility for Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya; the European Command (Eucom) was responsible for the rest of the countries in the African mainland while the Pacific Command (Pacom) had responsibility for Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Indian Ocean area.

The Pentagon said Africom will coordinate American military training for African armies, and support peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. However, there is considerable scepticism from within Africa towards Africom, highlighted by the fact that only one African nation, Liberia, offered to host the headquarters. For now the command will operate from Germany.

Africom's commander said yesterday that it has "no hidden agenda". General William E. Ward said the command would not be used to gain control of African natural resources such as oil. He said it was a "myth" to think the US wanted big bases in Africa.

He also dismissed fears that the US intended to build large military bases on the continent. Only one country, Liberia, has offered to host Africom, which is coming into full operation at its headquarters in the German city of Stuttgart. General Ward said the location of the headquarters, for its 1,300 military and civilian personnel, was less of a concern, given the size of the African continent.

The BBC's Adam Mynott says the creation of Africom is a recognition by the US that Africa and security issues on the continent are now a priority.

It reflects concerns about tackling Islamist extremism, securing oil supplies, and countering Chinese influence in Africa, he says.

But its creation has been met with considerable scepticism, our correspondent says.

However General Ward said "There is no hidden agenda. It is about working with the African nations to help them build their capacity."

He said it was a "myth" and "absolutely not the case" that the command was going to build big bases in Africa.

"We will do those things in partnership with our African friends," he said.

"Where we bring in, for instance, trainers or other forms of military support and assistance there, they are only so long as is required to conduct the specific training that we've been asked to do or to conduct the specific activities."

The only established American military base in Africa at the moment is Camp Lemonier in Djibouti, where about 1,800 US troops are stationed.

The decision to upgrade Africom has been 10 years in the making, but was formally announced by US President George W Bush in February 2007.