Quick action needed to reverse insurgency in Afghanistan: U.S. official

KABUL, Dec. 14 -- Quick action is needed to reverse the momentum of insurgents and build up the capacity of Afghan army and police to provide security for their own country, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said here Monday.

"We will do this of course with the welcome and continuing support of the 42 nations allied with us in the efforts and again I welcome the contribution of 7,000 more troops from NATO nations," Mullen told a press conference here.

"We must also have the support and help of the most important partner that is the Afghan government," said the highest ranking official of the U.S. military.

In order to achieve long lasting security and stability to take root here, said Mullen, there must be a faith, trust and confidence by the Afghan people in the public institutions which safeguard their livelihood.

"President Hamid Karzai has made evidence of his desire to provide those safeguard to lead a central government without corruption," he added.

As U.S. President Barrack Obama made it clear that the U.S. commitments to Afghanistan will be enduring but the U.S. military presence will not, said Mullen.

On the same day when Mullen toured in Kabul, suspected Taliban militants attacked two police checkpoints in two provinces, claiming the lives of over a dozen police personnel.