U.S. general: Time ‘running out’ for bin Laden [View All]

[rodbarnett]

Commander in Afghanistan says effort to root out al-Qaida renewed

WASHINGTON - The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Tuesday that his troops are stepping up efforts to capture Osama bin Laden and ousted Taliban leader Mullah Omar, maintaining that the "sand in their hour glass is running out."

Briefing Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, Army Lt. Gen. David Barno said the United States and Pakistan are improving cooperation in efforts to eradicate al-Qaida elements, using a "hammer and anvil approach" that will drive the terrorists out of Pakistan and across the Afghan border.

Barno also confirmed reports that the Pakistani military has entered tribal areas of the border region in the last two months in an effort to uncover and disrupt terrorist operations.

"I think that's one of several new initiatives that I see the Pakistanis undertaking that are very encouraging and I think will have effective results," he said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4285932/