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US General in Pakistan to request troops for Iraq: Reports
Islamabad, July 23: Visiting US Central Command Chief gen. John Abizaid is expected to press Islamabad to send troops to Iraq, news reports said today.
Islamabad, July 23: Visiting US Central Command Chief gen. John Abizaid is expected to press Islamabad to send troops to Iraq, news reports said today.
US embassy spokeswoman Linda Cheatham said Abizaid's
visit is the first since he assumed his command, that includes
responsibility for US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The General has recently become the Central Command chief, so he is here on an introductory visit," Cheatham said.
She refused to give details of the visit, which began late yesterday, but Pakistani newspapers said Abizaid wants Pakistan to send two army brigades to Iraq.
Until now, Pakistan has not sent any troops, saying it would like to see a United Nations mandate or a command led by the Organization of Islamic Conference.
Abizaid is to meet Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who withdrew Pakistan's support for Afghanistan's Taliban government after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and joined the US-led anti-terror coalition.
The United States has been looking for additional troops from several countries for the US-led coalition in Iraq. India, has refused a US request for troops.
And Pakistani religious parties have warned Musharraf against sending soldiers to Iraq, threatening nationwide demonstrations if troops are deployed there.
The coalition's war on terror in Afghanistan also is expected to dominate Abizaid's three-day visit to Pakistan.
Bureau Report
"The General has recently become the Central Command chief, so he is here on an introductory visit," Cheatham said.
She refused to give details of the visit, which began late yesterday, but Pakistani newspapers said Abizaid wants Pakistan to send two army brigades to Iraq.
Until now, Pakistan has not sent any troops, saying it would like to see a United Nations mandate or a command led by the Organization of Islamic Conference.
Abizaid is to meet Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who withdrew Pakistan's support for Afghanistan's Taliban government after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and joined the US-led anti-terror coalition.
The United States has been looking for additional troops from several countries for the US-led coalition in Iraq. India, has refused a US request for troops.
And Pakistani religious parties have warned Musharraf against sending soldiers to Iraq, threatening nationwide demonstrations if troops are deployed there.
The coalition's war on terror in Afghanistan also is expected to dominate Abizaid's three-day visit to Pakistan.
Bureau Report