Panetta sworn in as new US defense chief

WASHINGTON, July 1 (KUNA) -- Newly appointed US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta affirmed here Friday that he will ensure that the US continues to have the "strongest military in the world" that is "prepared to confront the challenges".
Panetta, in a message to the Department of Defense after he was sworn in today, taking responsibilities over from predecessor Robert Gates, said that "as your leader, I will ensure that our nation continues to have the best-trained, best-equipped, and strongest military in the world, a force prepared to confront the challenges that face us".
He stressed that "our nation is at war. We must prevail against our enemies".
"We will persist in our efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and ultimately defeat Al Qaeda," he affirmed.
He noted that the "successful" operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, "a mission that showcased American military strength and precision, is a major step toward that goal".
He added that "as we begin the transition in Afghanistan, we must remain committed to working closely with our Afghan and international partners to ensure that it never again becomes a safe haven for al Qaeda and its militant allies".
On Iraq, Panetta said "as we continue our transition out of Iraq, we must cement a strategic relationship with the Iraqi government, one based not solely on our military footprint there but on a real and lasting partnership".
He affirmed that "it is in America's interests to help Iraq realize its potential to become a stable democracy in a vitally important region in the world, and to reinforce that responsibility for the future security of Iraq must belong to the Iraqis themselves".
"In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to visiting with troops and civilian employees of every rank and hearing your ideas, thoughts, and concerns," the new defense chief remarked. (end) si.bs KUNA 012121 Jul 11NNNN