US will expand its military presence in Pakistan in the New Year, under a new agreement negotiated last month, Pentagon sources say.

The first US personnel could be on the ground in Pakistan by early in the New Year, according to Pentagon sources.

The sources have said reaching a different agreement with Pakistan had become a priority for the new head of the US Special Operations Command, Adm. Eric T. Olson.

Olsen visited Pakistan in August, November and again this month, meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and the headquarters of the Frontier Corps, a separate paramilitary force recruited from Pakistan's border tribes.

Once the US oust the Taliban government and established its main base at Bagram, north of Kabul, US forces left Pakistan almost entirely.

Since then, Pakistan has restricted US involvement in cross-border military operations on its soil.

Analysts believe the move could indicate a new strategy devised by Washington aimed at using Pakistan as a launch pad for attacks against other nations in the region if need be.

SB/RE