KABUL - US General David Petraeus made his public debut Saturday as commander of the war in Afghanistan, attending the celebration of US independence Day at the heavily-guarded American embassy. Commander Petraeus have call for united effort in Afghanistan.

The four-star general, who arrived in the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday, wore military fatigues as he stood in a receiving line with ambassador Karl Eikenberry, greeting some of the 1,700 guests on the embassy lawn.

Petraeus, who replaced the sacked US General Stanley McChrystal, has said the near nine-year war in Afghanistan is likely to get tougher before significant improvements are seen.

BDST: 12:43 HRS, July 3, 2010