Petraeus Gets Earful From Pakistan Leaders

Pakistan on Monday urged the general taking charge of America's two wars to halt missile attacks on militants in its border badlands and avert a backlash against the U.S. in a country vital to its fight against terrorism.

Gen. David Petraeus met Pakistani officials including President Asif Ali Zardari and army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani as part of his first international trip since taking over U.S. Central Command three days earlier.

There is growing U.S. concern about how Islamic militants are using pockets of Pakistan's northwest region as sanctuaries from which to support the escalating insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan.

Complaints from U.S. commanders about Pakistan's efforts to counter the insurgents have been accompanied by a surge of missile strikes on suspected Taliban and al Qaeda targets, despite strong condemnation in Pakistan.

According to the state-run APP news agency, Zardari told Petraeus and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher that the attacks from drone aircraft should be stopped.

"Continuing drone attacks on our territory, which result in loss of precious lives and property, are counterproductive and difficult to explain by a democratically elected government," Zardari was quoted as saying.

Zardari said the government was "under pressure to react more aggressively" to the strikes.

Neither Petraeus nor the U.S. Embassy made any public comment.

Washington is suspected in at least 17 missile strikes in Pakistan since August.

In September, a U.S. ground assault in a tribal region in Pakistan's northwest spurred particular outrage. Days later, Pakistani troops fired on or sent flares at two American helicopters operating near the border and U.S. and Pakistani ground forces in the area exchanged fire.

There have been no reports of additional ground assaults since and Petraeus has given few hints so far at what strategy he will follow.

Pakistan's government is mindful of already widespread opposition in the country to its ties with Washington.

However, it has acknowledged its dependence on Western aid in the face of looming economic problems and taken a tough public stance against terrorism and extremism.

Pakistani Defense Minister Ahmad Mukhtar said in a statement after his meeting with Petraeus that the missile strikes could "create outrage and uproar among the people."

But his statement also noted that both sides "stressed the need for enhanced cooperation to eliminate the scourge of terrorism."

It was unclear if Petraeus addressed vows from Pakistani and Afghan leaders to seek talks with elements of the Taliban.

Petraeus, previously the top U.S. commander in Baghdad, has indicated support for efforts to reach out to members of the Taliban considered moderate enough to cooperate with the Afghan government.