Petraeus asks Afghan civilians to unite with military against the Taleban

GENERAL David Petraeus, the new commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, has called for unity in the civilian and military efforts to turn back the Taleban and stabilise the troubled country.

"In this important endeavour, co-operation is not optional," Petraeus told about 1,700 invited guests, including Afghan government and military and police officials, gathered at the US Embassy yesterday. "Civilian and military, Afghanistan and international, we are part of one team with one mission."

Petraeus added that the campaign to bolster the Afghan government in the face of the insurgent threat "is an effort in which we must achieve unity of effort". He told the Afghan dignitaries: "Your success is our success."

The remarks were Petraeus's first public comments since he arrived on Friday night to assume command of the troubled international military mission in Afghanistan. His predecessor, General Stanley McChrystal, was fired last month after he and his aides made intemperate remarks about Obama administration figures to Rolling Stone magazine.

Appearing with Petraeus, US ambassador Karl Eikenberry said America's commitment to Afghanistan would not wane, despite sagging US public support for the conflict and president Barack Obama's July 2011 deadline to begin withdrawing US troops.

"We'll keep at it. We'll persevere," Eikenberry said. "We're committed for the long term."

McChrystal told Rolling Stone he felt "betrayed" by Eikenberry's opposition to the general's request for a substantial increase in US troops in Afghanistan. Eikenberry's opposition to the plan was contained in diplomatic cables leaked in Washington, a move McChrystal suspected was aimed at protecting the ambassador if the war effort failed.

But yesterday's message was of unity. Afghan foreign minister Zalmay Rasoul said the foundation of Afghanistan's partnership with the US was solid. "Our resolve is unshaken, and the resilience of our people in the desire for peace and prosperity remains robust," he said.

Petraeus, widely credited with turning around the US war effort in Iraq, was due to formally assume command at a ceremony today.

Ahead of the ceremony, he was spending his day receiving his first operational update from the Nato staff and in meetings with Karzai, the ground commander Lt Gen David Rodriguez, and the chief of the Nato training command, Lt Gen William Caldwell. Petraeus is taking over the 12,000-member Nato-led international force at a time of rising violence and growing doubts about the effectiveness of the counter-insurgency strategy, which Petraeus pioneered.

The focus of the military effort has been in the Taleban strongholds of the south and east.

Nevertheless, the insurgency has spread across the country.