Hillary Clinton meets with Pakistani tribal leaders

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits the historical Badshahi Masjid in Lahore October 29, 2009.(Xinhua/Agencies Photo)

The visiting United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with members of the National Assembly, the lower house of the Pakistani Parliament, from Federal Administered Tribal Area (FATA) on Friday.

During the meeting, the tribal leaders made it clear that use of power is not the solution of problems and drone attacks creating hatred in FATA, the private TV channel GEO News reported.

The delegation assured the U.S. secretary of state that tribal men are not terrorists.

Clinton said the U.S. will continue its cooperation with Pakistan in the war against terror. She said Pakistan-U.S. ties are not restricted to war and security issues as the U.S. wants long term and durable relationship with Pakistan.

The U.S drones regularly hit hideouts of the militants in the Pakistani tribal region, which Washington considers as the center of Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants. Pakistan opposes the U.S. strikes inside the country's tribal regions and seeks the drone technology. But the U.S. does not accept Islamabad's request.

Hillary Clinton also attended a cultural show in the Pakistan National Council under strict security. Later, she met with delegations of intellectuals, civil society and women and discussed development in social sector.

Hillary Clinton arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday morning to start her three-day trip to Pakistan. She also met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and opposition leaders during the visit.

Source: Xinhua