08-24-2010, 11:52 AM
ISLAMABAD: US General James Mattis is on his first visit to Pakistan after replacing General David Petraeus as commander of Central Command (CENTCOM).
During his visit, Gen Mattis plans to visit flood-affected areas with Pakistani officials. He will review ongoing US support to relief efforts and discuss areas where the US may be able to support Pakistan. As head of CENTCOM, Mattis oversees US military operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as across the Middle East, including Iraq and Iran. He also heads the US Joint Forces Command, based in Norfolk, Virginia When the Obama administration named General James Mattis as CENTCOM chief, American media reported him as “an erudite combat veteran known for quoting poetry and openly expressing his enthusiasm for killing the enemy”. In his meetings with Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders, Gen Mattis will provide an update on the current US strategy in Afghanistan and discuss other regional security issues. Former CENTCOM chief Gen David Petraeus took over as US and NATO’s top military officer in Afghanistan after President Barack Obama sacked Gen Stanley McChrystal in June.
During his visit, Gen Mattis plans to visit flood-affected areas with Pakistani officials. He will review ongoing US support to relief efforts and discuss areas where the US may be able to support Pakistan. As head of CENTCOM, Mattis oversees US military operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as across the Middle East, including Iraq and Iran. He also heads the US Joint Forces Command, based in Norfolk, Virginia When the Obama administration named General James Mattis as CENTCOM chief, American media reported him as “an erudite combat veteran known for quoting poetry and openly expressing his enthusiasm for killing the enemy”. In his meetings with Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders, Gen Mattis will provide an update on the current US strategy in Afghanistan and discuss other regional security issues. Former CENTCOM chief Gen David Petraeus took over as US and NATO’s top military officer in Afghanistan after President Barack Obama sacked Gen Stanley McChrystal in June.