US lawmakers demand withdrawal of US troops from Pak

Two US lawmakers proposed a bill this week, demanding the withdrawal of all American troops from Pakistan, where they are conducting covert operations against militants.

Democrat Dennis Kucinich and Repulican Ron Paul introduced the resolution late Thursday.

Kucinich said the covert operations were a "violation of the 1973 War Powers Resolution introduced after the Vietnam War that only allows the president to send US armed forces into military operations abroad if Congress approves the decision or if the United States is under a serious threat or attack."

"It is our constitutional responsibility as members of Congress to act," Kucinich added.

Republican Ron Paul says the increased US military presence in Pakistan as well as stepped up drone attacks are creating more enemies than it is defeating.

The measure is expected to be taken up by the House next week.

The Pentagon says only a small number of US soldiers operate in Pakistan, mostly Special Forces tasked with training Pakistani troops along the Afghan border. Those US forces are not officially engaged in combat operations.

Kucinich previously tabled a resolution demanding that all US troops withdraw from Afghanistan, but it was rejected in March.