.NATO Chief Urges More Effort To Stabilize Afghanistan
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has called on Pakistan and NATO countries to step up their fight against Islamist militants along the Pakistani-Afghan border.
He said that a planned troop increase in Afghanistan will help foreign forces control some areas of the country, but that the international community must help with development and reconstruction to bring peace and stability to the nation.
The NATO chief spoke in Islamabad Thursday after talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Their talks centered on security in the border region and Pakistan's growing relationship with the alliance.
Also Thursday, Pakistani security officials said government forces backed by helicopter gunships killed 11 militants in the country's restive Swat Valley.
U.S. and NATO officials say Pakistan's northwest tribal regions have become a safe haven for militants linked to the Taliban and al-Qaida.
VOA
He said that a planned troop increase in Afghanistan will help foreign forces control some areas of the country, but that the international community must help with development and reconstruction to bring peace and stability to the nation.
The NATO chief spoke in Islamabad Thursday after talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Their talks centered on security in the border region and Pakistan's growing relationship with the alliance.
Also Thursday, Pakistani security officials said government forces backed by helicopter gunships killed 11 militants in the country's restive Swat Valley.
U.S. and NATO officials say Pakistan's northwest tribal regions have become a safe haven for militants linked to the Taliban and al-Qaida.
VOA
posted by madtom at 8:57 PM
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