LUSAKA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Monday dropped the country's army commander and appointed a new chief.

The Zambian leader dropped Paul Mihova as the head of the army and has since appointed William Sikazwe as the country's new army commander, according to state broadcaster the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

Sikazwe, the new army commander, was serving as the chief of operations in the army.

In remarks delivered when he swore in the new army commander, Lungu urged him to defend the country's constitution and to ensure that discipline continues in the army.

The Zambian leader said the country's army was well respected in Africa and that he expects the trend to continue.