Karachi, 9 June (AKI) - (by Syed Saleem Shahzad) - The Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, Vice Admiral Kevin Cosgriff, on Monday stressed the need for strong relationships with coalition partners such as Pakistan.

Cosgriff was addressing officers at the Pakistan Navy War College in Lahore. He was in Pakistan on the invitation of the Pakistan Navy.

"The continued presence of coalition forces guarantees maritime security of those who depend on free use of the seas," said Cosgriff, who is also the Commander of the US Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.

"From security arises stability, which enhances trade, promotes economic vitality and increases regional and global prosperity."

"The combination of persistent, credible naval power conducting security operations is precisely the sort of thing we ought to be doing," said Cosgriff.

"Coalition Maritime Forces interact with virtually every country in the region."

Pakistan and the US Naval forces recently completed "Exercise Inspired Union 2008" in the North Arabian Sea which focused on air, surface and anti-submarine training.

The American ship, USS Curts also made two port visits to Karachi during the exercise and was the first visit by a US ship since September 2006.

Pakistan has commanded the Combined Task Force 150 twice.

Pakistan Navy Commodore Khan Hashan Bin Saddique, the current Commandant of the Pakistan Navy War College, commanded the task force from November 2007 to February 2008.

The task force includes warships from numerous coalition nations, including France, Germany, Pakistan, United Kingdom and the US.