Taliban have been able to regroup: Petraeus

MANHATTAN, Kansas: Gen David Petraeus said that a comprehensive approach is required to win the war in Afghanistan, with support from NATO and Pakistan.

In an interview before delivering a lecture at Kansas State University, the head of the U.S. Central Command said insurgents and the Taliban have been able to regroup and find safe havens, including the tribal areas along the Afghan border with Pakistan.

"The enemy is resilient and as is the case has sanctuary across the border and is able to reconstitute itself," Petraeus said.

He said it would take a comprehensive approach outlined by President Barack Obama, along with coalition partners and Pakistan, to regain territory controlled by the Taliban.

Petraeus said it is critical to get the Pakistan military to focus less on India and more on defeating insurgent groups. He said a major offensive under way in the northwest region was a start.

"The threat posed by the extremists internal in Pakistan is the most serious to the existence of Pakistan," Patraeus told the audience attending his Landon Lecture. "There has to be a transformation, much like the U.S military."

Petraeus said it will take effort to build a legitimate Afghan government and an economy that isn't reliant on illegal narcotics. A comprehensive approach with more U.S. and international civilian authorities assisting the Afghans is necessary to build these institutions, he said.

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