Petraeus and Marine Lt. Gen. John Allen’s visit was part of a flurry over meetings between diplomats and military leaders of the two countries since the May 2 strike against the Al-Qaeda chief in the northwest Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad.

Pakistani civilian and military leaders are angry over the raid because the Americans did not warn them about it, although they insist they had no idea the terror leader was on their soil. In response, they have kicked out many US military trainers and asked the Americans to reduce their footprint in the country.

The US recently announced it was suspending some $800 million in military aid to Pakistan until the relationship improves.

Nonetheless, both sides appear intent on keeping the dialogue going, a reflection of the realization that on some level the two countries need each other. Pakistan needs the US for its financial assistance, both military and humanitarian, while the US needs Pakistan for help in bringing peace to Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, Pakistani spy chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha left for a visit to Washington, while Marine Gen. James Mattis, head of US Central Command, met with Kayani in Pakistan.

Few details were available about the meetings Thursday. The US Embassy said those gathered “discussed various topics of mutual interest and ways to improve regional security.”

This could be one of Petraeus last trips to Pakistan, at least in his current capacity. He is slated to become the next CIA chief. Allen is to succeed Petraeus as commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

The Obama administration also sought to assure Pakistan on Thursday that civilian assistance wouldn’t be affected by the suspension of some of the military aid.

Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides spoke by phone with Pakistani Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and they discussed the “importance of continuing cooperation on the US- Pakistan civilian assistance program,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

Nides ensured Shaikh that the US is committed to helping Pakistan fuel economic growth and improve its energy, education and health sectors, Toner told reporters.

“The decision to slow down some of the security and military assistance reflects the reality that some of those programs are tied to the level of our cooperation,” Toner said. “But we continue to work productively on the civilian side. That assistance continues to flow.”