Pak-Afghan situation discussed by new US war cabinet

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has reviewed the situation in the Pak-Afghan region with his revamped war cabinet.
The White House confirmed that in a Tuesday afternoon meeting President Obama discussed his plans for a gradual transition of responsibilities from US to Afghan authorities with three key members of his new war team.
Two of these, the new US commander for Afghanistan and the new US ambassador in Kabul will be implementing his civilian and military strategy in the war-ravaged country.
Another key member, the new Secretary of Defence, Leon Panetta, will supervise US war efforts from his headquarters in Washington.
“The president and his team discussed implementation of the next phase of our strategy in Afghanistan,” the White House said in a statement. The talks focused on the “consolidation of the gains that have been made in breaking the Taliban’s momentum and training Afghan Security Forces”.
On Tuesday, President Obama also invited the outgoing Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen and Vice President Joe Biden to the Oval office as he discussed his war plans with Gen John Allen, who will take over the Nato and US command in Afghanistan, and the new US ambassador to Kabul, Ryan Crocker.