WASHINGTON, Jan 29: Even with the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the bigger challenge in the global war on terrorism is the threat posed by extremists in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the commander of US forces in that region said on Thursday.

Gen John Abizaid, commander of the US Central Command, told reporters that Pakistan had been a vital ally in the war on terror and should continue to receive as much US assistance as it needed to defeat extremism.

He added, however, that it was not a matter that could be resolved by US military power. "It is a battle of ideas as much as it is a military battle," he said, "and we've got to help him fight that battle,' referring to Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf, who has survived two recent assassination attempts.

"In Saudi Arabia the same thing is taking place, and you see day after day an increase in military operations and terrorist operations in Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi Arabian government is working very hard to defeat the terrorist threat," Abizaid said. He was referring to the Riyadh shootout on Thursday

Authorities have detained hundreds of people in the crackdown on alleged militants and urged wanted persons to surrender. Saudi officials also have more publicly tried to discourage extremism in the kingdom, airing television footage of alleged militants repenting of their crimes.

Abizaid said the United States must continue working with the Saudis to defeat the extremists, but that, too, is not a problem with a US military solution.-APP/AP