Clinton praises Pakistan fight against terror

US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton met with the Pakistani president today, shortly after she arrived for a brief visit.

The meeting took place after Clinton – a Democrat from New York who is considering running for president – arrived at the Lahore international airport from Afghanistan.

The two discussed a range of issues, including the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East, an official said.

He said Musharraf told Clinton that Pakistan was in favour of a “stable, strong and prosperous Afghanistan” and that Islamabad was extending full support to the world community in the fight against terrorism.

Musharraf also informed Clinton about the steps his government had taken to curb militancy and secure the Pakistani border with Afghanistan to check militants’ activities, the official said.

The official said Clinton praised Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism.

Pakistan is a key ally of the US in its war on terror and Clinton’s visit to Pakistan came weeks after Musharraf’s government announced a controversial plan to plant land mines and build a fence on parts of its frontier with Afghanistan to stop Taliban and al-Qaida guerrillas from crossing the border.

Kabul quickly opposed the plan, saying it will separate families instead preventing militants from crossing the border.

Pakistan used to be a main ally of the Taliban, but it switched sides after the September 11 attacks in Afghanistan.

Since then, Pakistan has deployed about 80,000 troops in its tribal areas near Afghanistan to flush out foreign militants and their local supporters.