Pak, central front in US war against terror

Washington, Jan 23: US President, Barack Obama on Friday, Jan 23 addressing the officials of the State Department after Richard Holbrooke was appointed Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said that tackling terrorism in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border was the main agenda of the United States' war against terrorism. Deteriorating situation in the region poses grave threat to the global security, he added.

"This is the central front in our enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism," Obama said reiterating that the Afghan-Pak problem can't be resolved in isolation.

Stressing the need for regional approach, he said, "There, as in the Middle East, we must understand that we cannot deal with our problems in isolation."

Terming it as an international challenge of the 'highest order', he said, "There is no answer in Afghanistan that does not confront the al Qaeda and Taliban bases along the border, and there will be no lasting peace unless we expand spheres of opportunity for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan."

He also ordered to review the US strategy in Afghan. He has also plunged to boost the troop numbers and ordered the generals to remove troops from Iraq and shift the focus on Afghanistan border.

Osama bin Laden and other top al Qaeda militants are believed to be hiding in the mountainous border region of Pakistan near Afghanistan.

This statement comes only two days after the Obama administration cautioned Pakistan that its performance in the fight against terrorism would be linked to the financial aid that is provided to it.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)