US General David Petraeus has called for a united effort in the Afghan war as he made his public debut today as the NATO commander in Afghanistan.
‘This is an effort in which we must achieve unity of effort and common purpose. Civilian and military, Afghan and international, we are part of one team with one mission,’ said Gen Petraeus.
‘On this important endeavour, cooperation is not optional,’ Gen Petraeus added.
The four-star general, who arrived in the Afghan capital Kabul yesterday, attended the celebration of US independence Day at the heavily guarded US embassy.
Gen Petraeus stood in a receiving line with US ambassador Karl Eikenberry, greeting some of the 1,700 Afghan cabinet members, diplomats, and development workers who were guests on the embassy lawn.
Gen Petraeus, who replaced US General Stanley McChrystal, has said the near nine-year war in Afghanistan is likely to get tougher before significant improvements are seen.
