Bush calls Musharraf, praises Pakistan's anti-terrorism role

Aug 23, 2006, 14:52 GMT

Islamabad - US President George W Bush lauded Pakistan's role in fighting terrorism in a telephone call to his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf Wednesday, officials said.

'George Bush telephoned President Musharraf today and expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan's role in fighting terrorism and the support it has been extending at international level,' foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam said in a statement.

Aslam said the conversation was held in the context of the recent alleged London terrorist plot.

Pakistani officials recently claimed that 'uncovering and foiling' of the alleged terrorist plot in London has been the result of active cooperation among the intelligence agencies of Pakistan, Britain and the United States.

On August 11, officials also announced the arrest of Rashid Rauf, whom they called a key person in the alleged plot. They also claimed that Rauf, a British national had links with Afghanistan-based al- Qaeda.

President Bush also said that he was looking forward to his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart in the US next month.

Musharraf is scheduled to travel to New York next month to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

Bush said he would exchange views with Musharraf on international developments and measures to further strengthen the strategic relationship between Islamabad and Washington.