Pakistan plays key role in reconciliation with Afghanistan: Petraeus

General David Petraeus, appearing at a Congressional hearing for confirmation as commander of the US forces in Afghanistan, Tuesday assured Islamabad and Kabul of enduring American commitment to the region as he also acknowledged the importance of Pakistans role in the Afghan reconciliation process.The General, who has been picked by President Barack Obama to replace sacked Gen Stanely McChrystal, told members of the Senate Armed Service Committee that the US relationship with Pakistan is vitally important.There were signs of progress in terms of U.S.-led counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan and fighting in the country could intensify in coming months, said the general, who was tapped by Obama last week to succeed the loose-lip Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Petraeus also restated his support for starting withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan in July 2011, a major part of Obama's new Afghan strategy outlined in December, while emphasized that it would be based on security conditions on the ground. The general promised to forge unity of effort with his civilian counterparts, saying that he will seek to contribute to such teamwork and to unity of effort among all participants. His predecessor, McChrystal, failed to get on well with US diplomatic team in Afghanistan and was ousted after making contemptuous remarks of senior administration officials. Petraeus is expected to be heavily questioned by lawmakers on whether he would pursue the same doctrine as his predecessor to put strict limits on firepower to protect the lives of civilians, which critics say put US troops at unnecessary risk.