US Told to Cut Military Presence in Pakistan

Former president labels Osama raid 'act of war'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted May 26, 2011 5:45 AM CDT
US Told to Cut Military Presence in Pakistan
Pakistani protesters burn a poster of President Obama during an anti-US demonstration in Multan following the killing of Osama bin Laden.   (Getty Images)

Amid rising distrust since the killing of Osama bin Laden, Pakistan has told the US to reduce the number of military trainers it has in the country. A Pentagon spokesman has confirmed that the number of US personnel in Pakistan is being halved at the request of Islamabad, Reuters reports. More than 200 US personnel are currently in Pakistan, including around 120 special forces trainers who are advising the military.

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, meanwhile, says the raid that killed Osama bin Laden was arrogant and counts as an act of war. "No country has a right to intrude into any other country," he told CNN. "Actually, technically, legally, you see it, it's an act of war. So I think it is an irresponsible statement, and I think such arrogance should not be shown, publicly, to the world," said the former leader, who left the country after stepping down in 2008 and has vowed to return despite the warrant for his arrest. (More Pakistan stories.)

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