ISLAMABAD (March 29, 2012) — General James Mattis, Commander of U.S. Central Command, departed Pakistan today after a series of meetings with senior Pakistani leaders. While here, he and General John Allen, Commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, discussed with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and other senior military officials a wide range of common security issues, to include militant network activities and improving cross-border cooperation. General Mattis acknowledged the sacrifices made by the Pakistani military in their fight against violent extremists, and offered his condolences for Pakistani military personnel who have fallen in support of that cause. This was the first visit by a senior U.S. military official since last winter. General Mattis and General Allen were grateful for the time afforded them by their Pakistani counterparts and reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Pakistani security relationship – not only to ongoing operations in Afghanistan but also to regional stability.