MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE (Florida), Oct 31: Gen David Petraeus, regarded as rescuer of a failing war in Iraq, rose to the helm of Central Command on Friday. He pledged to push for more than military solutions to the troubles of the greater Middle East.

Within hours he was to leave for a trip to the region.

Under bright sunshine on the shores of a glistening Tampa Bay, the four-star commander underlined the many problems facing not only Iraq and Afghanistan but also other countries in his new area of military responsi-

bility — from Egypt, Lebanon and Syria to Iran, Pakistan and the rest of Central Asia.

“As we have all seen in recent years, addressing these challenges requires comprehensive approaches to employ the whole of our government’s capabilities,” he said, alluding to his effort, during 20 months as the top US commander in Iraq, to involve more fully the State Department and other agencies.

“This is necessary not just to resolve pressing short-term issues, but to address — over time — the underlying conditions that give rise to such serious security challenges. So the way ahead will be difficult.”

His first trip as chief of Central Command, starting on Saturday, was to include a stop in Pakistan, a US ally threatened with financial ruin and torn by militancy and terrorism.

Petraeus took command from Lt-Gen Martin Dempsey, who had filled in as the acting Central Command commander since March, when Adm William Fallon stepped down sooner than the Pentagon had expected.

—AP