U.S. defense chief visits Priština

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has arrived on a brief visit to Pristina. The United States will continue its troop presence in Kosovo until at least late next year, Gates said before he arrived in Pristina, the AP reports. U.S. defense chief visits Pristina After his meetings with Kosovo's top officials Fatmir Sejdiu and Hashim Thaci, the U.S. defense chief "reaffirmed the pledge that President Bush made - that we came in together and we will go out together", the news agency added. Washington will maintain the present number of troops and is "focused on providing services, equipment and training for the new ministry and the Kosovo security forces", the AP said. Gates added that there also is funding in the Pentagon's 2009 budget for military education and training programs for Kosovo, "although he was not sure what specifically would be provided for Kosovo".

U.S. defense chief visits Priština

After his meetings with Kosovo's top officials Fatmir Sejdiu and Hashim Thaci, the U.S. defense chief "reaffirmed the pledge that President Bush made - that we came in together and we will go out together", the news agency added.

Washington will maintain the present number of troops and is "focused on providing services, equipment and training for the new ministry and the Kosovo security forces", the AP said.

Gates added that there also is funding in the Pentagon's 2009 budget for military education and training programs for Kosovo, "although he was not sure what specifically would be provided for Kosovo".