Gen. Petraeus calls for unity in Afghanistan war
By Associated Press
Jul 3, 2010 1:50 AM CDT
In this image released by the US Air Force, from left, NATO's Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, Mark Sedwill, Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry walk at Kabul airport, Friday, July 2, 2010. Gen. David Petraeus has landed in...   (Associated Press)

The new U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan is calling for unity between the civilian and military effort in the nearly 9-year-old war.

Gen. David Petraeus told a crowd of about 1,700 Afghan, American and international guests at the U.S. Embassy Saturday that cooperation between the military and civilian effort "is not optional."

It was Petraeus' first public comment since arriving Friday night to assume command. His predecessor Gen. Stanley McChrystal was fired for intemperate remarks by him and his aides about Obama administration figures to Rolling Stone magazine.

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