McCain calls for Pakistani 'cooperation' against extremists

KABUL: US Senator John McCain visited Kabul on Tuesday and warned neighbouring Pakistan that Washington was counting on its support to eliminate militancy and in particular the Haqqani network, responsible for numerous attacks on Afghan territory.

The relationship between the US and Pakistan has been strained at times, with some in Washington believing Islamabad has not done enough to bring its influence to bear to persuade the Afghan Taliban to renounce violence.

McCain's statement came one day after he and a bi-partisan Senate delegation visited Islamabad, where Pakistani officials said he reinforced the country's essential role in regional stability.

"We made it very clear that we expect they (Pakistan) will cooperate with us, particularly against the Haqqani network and against terrorist organisations," said McCain, chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, in Kabul.

"If they don't change their behaviour maybe we should change our behaviour towards Pakistan as a nation," he insisted.

Pakistan has received billions in US aid since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

The Senate visit to Islamabad and Kabul comes as the US is gearing up to send more troops to Afghanistan to support Afghan forces straining to beat back the resurgent Taliban.

McCain called for more than just troops, however, urging "a strategy to win" the war which has dragged on for nearly 16 years and which even US generals concede is at a "stalemate".

"The strongest nation on earth in this world should be able to win this conflict," he said, calling for diplomatic efforts alongside a military push.

"The bottom line is that NATO has made a commitment to Afghanistan for freedom from fear and terror... You can't let this be undone," he said in Brussels last week.