Afghanistan expressed regret on Thursday at the removal of the US commander credited with reducing civilian casualties in the war against the Taliban, but said it did not expect his replacement to change strategy.

"We wish he hadn't gone, but this is America's internal issue," said General Zaher Azimi, a spokesman for the Afghan defense ministry.

"We expect Petraeus to follow McChrystal's assessment, which has reduced civilian casualties, brought down arrests and house searches and involved coordination on operations," he said.