Pakistan vows to defend itself against US incursions

PAKISTAN: Pakistan vowed Sunday to defend itself against violations of its air space and incursions by US forces in Afghanistan.

Missile strikes have killed 38 people in Pakistan in the past week and Islamabad has blamed the attacks on US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, straining its relationship with its key ally.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani telephoned newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari late Saturday to discuss the strikes, a statement said Sunday.

“Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called the president of Pakistan... last night in Dubai and discussed with him the frequent violation of the country’s air space and incursions by the US forces,” said the statement, issued by Gilani’s office.

“Both the leaders have unanimity of views that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country should be respected at all cost.”

Both leaders vowed to defend Pakistan, the statement added. US and Afghan officials say Pakistan’s tribal areas are a safe haven for Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants who sneaked into the rugged region after the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001.

Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, are widely believed to be hiding in the mountainous region.

Pakistan has also accused Afghanistan-based troops of carrying out a direct attack on its territory, a raid in the South Waziristan tribal zone that left 15 people dead.

Islamabad, Monday,

AFP