DAVOS, Jan 29: President Barack Obama should deepen US engagement in Afghanistan but show more restraint in Pakistan, ministers said on Thursday as the volatile region took centre stage in Davos.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told delegates that US drone attacks on Pakistani territory were ‘counterproductive’ and called for a new approach by Obama’s administration.

Afghan Defence Minister Rahim Wardak said he welcomed the prospect of increased numbers of US troops in his country but pleaded for the larger military presence to be accompanied by more development aid.

All participants in the discussion, including French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, underlined that military efforts alone could not succeed.

“I don’t think military action is the only solution to the problems,” said Mr Gilani, who called for development and dialogue to be part of a three-pronged approach to tackling militants.

He heavily criticised attacks on Pakistan’s restive western regions by US drones, which he said undermined the government’s strategy of engaging tribes and separating them from militants.

“When there is a drone attack that unites them again, the tribes and the militants,” Mr Gilani said.

Mr Obama pledged during his election campaign to continue drone attacks in Pakistan if there was evidence militants could be killed, even without approval from the Pakistani government.

Mr Gilani welcomed the appointment by Mr Obama of US ambassador Richard Holbrooke as special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan and suggested that he could also help with strained India-Pakistan relations.

Turkey’s Babacan, whose country has helped mediate in the region, also criticised “third-party military operations” such as drone attacks.

“When they are done without coordinating with governments it just helps terrorists and doesn’t serve any good purpose.”

Two missile strikes in South and North Waziristan last Friday were the first such attacks since Mr Obama took office last week.

Pakistani security officials said at least 21 people were killed.

Mr Wardak welcomed proposals to send more US troops in addition to the 36,000 already stationed there.

Mr Kouchner, who ruled out sending more French troops, said forces were needed to guarantee security to enable Afghanistan to develop its economy.

“There’s no unique military solution in Afghanistan, but there is certainly a way to give some confidence to the people and this is the key,” he said.

Mr Wardak stressed the importance of improving the quality of life of citizens and assailed NGOs that have been funded to help with reconstruction and development after the ousting of the Taliban.

“Out of total aid of some 30 billion dollars, only a small portion of this aid has been given to the Afghan government. It has all been used by NGOs and donor communities,” he said.

He admitted the government corruption also remained a problem. “Nobody can deny that there is corruption,” he said.—AFP