Pelosi leads US congressional delegation to Pakistan

Jan 28, 2007, 8:30 GMT

Islamabad - A US congressional delegation led by new House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in Rawalpindi to discuss the war on terror, media reported Sunday.

The talks late Saturday came amid concern over a bill already endorsed by the House that calls for ending US military assistance to Pakistan if the country does not suppress Taliban insurgents operating on its territory.

Musharraf said Pakistan's resolve to fight extremism and terrorism was unshakeable, a foreign ministry statement said.

But while noting the importance of military force, he emphasized that a solution lay essentially in a political approach.

He also said Western media had mischaracterized Pakistan's role in the fight against terrorism.

Pakistan has vigorously denied charges that it is appeasing insurgents in its restive tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

During a recent tour of the Middle East, Musharraf reminded the international community that Pakistan has 80,000 troops stationed along the border and more than 700 soldiers have died in clashes with insurgents in recent years.

The US delegation noted Pakistan's contribution in the war against terrorism and sacrifices made by the country.

Pelosi was accompanied by six other leading members of the House of Representatives.