WASHINGTON, July 10: As the war in Iraq subsides, the United States will use military resources no more needed there to fight terrorism in Afghanistan, says United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

At a briefing, Mr Gates spelled out the new US strategy for the Afghan-Pakistan region which may result in an increase in the US military presence there.

When asked why had the United States redeployed the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln from the Gulf to the Arabian Sea, Mr Gates said United States military officials felt the ship could be “the most useful” near Afghanistan.

He said that Gen Martin Dempsey, the acting commander of the US Central Command, “felt that providing some additional combat support in Afghanistan was something he could do without any cost to the mission in Iraq”.

“We have clearly seen an increase in violence in Afghanistan. At the same time, we’ve seen a reduction in violence and casualties in Iraq.

“And I think it’s just part of our commitment to ensure that we have the resources available to be successful in Afghanistan over the long haul.”