The veteran soldier will become commander-in-chief of Land Command next March. He was praised for his tough negotiating stance at the end of the Balkans conflict.

It recently emerged that he refused to carry out an order from his superior, General Wesley Clark, the US Surpeme Allied Commander in Europe, to move soldiers into Pristina airport as Russian troops were arriving.

He reportedly warned that the move could spark "World War III", and was backed by Downing Street.

Gen Jackson seals the demilitarisation deal with the KLA

Nato gave Gen Jackson the delicate responsibility of leading of talks with the Serbian military on implementing the Kosovo peace deal in June.

He earlier commanded the UN implementation force in Bosnia-Herzegovina between 1995 and 1996.

Born into a military family, Gen Jackson joined the army at the age of 19. He graduated from Birmingham University in 1967 and transferred to the Paras in 1970 after learning Russian in the Intelligence Corps.

The general, whose military hero is the Duke of Wellington, rose to command the First Battalion of the Parachute Regiment between 1984 and 1986.

He has commanded Three (UK) Division, spent two years at the Ministry of Defence and also served in Berlin and Northern Ireland.

'Macho Jacko'

His stern reputation has led to him being dubbed "Macho Jacko" by some UK newspapers, and the "The Prince of Darkness" by his troops.

Gen Jackson is expected to complete his tour as KFOR commander in October, before taking up his new post.