LONDON: US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron termed Pakistan crucial for peace in Afghanistan in a press conference under open skies in the garden of Lancaster House on Wednesday.
Both the United Kingdom and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to support and help Pakistan in the fight against extremism.
Following their talks at the Downing Street which centred on global issues, the two leaders addressed the international media concentrating mainly on Libya, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Middle East and the Arab-Israel peace moves.
With reference to war against terrorism, Cameron said, “We can defeat Al-Qaeda. The events of recent months give us opportunity to turn the tide against their terror once and for all. We must continue to destroy their network.”
The British Prime Minister congratulated the American President, paying a two-day state visit to Britain, on operation that led to the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.
“This was not just victory for justice but strike at the heart of international terrorism.”
He went on to say that in this vital effort the West must continue to work with Pakistan.
“People are asking about our relationship so we need to be clear. Pakistan has suffered more from terrorism than any country in the world. Their enemy is our enemy. So far from walking away, we hope to work even more closely with them.”
Obama said Nato forces were ‘preparing to turn a corner’ in Afghanistan.
He and Cameron “Affirmed the importance of beginning the transition to an Afghan lead for security this year and completing that transition by 2014”.
He added, “We discussed the opportunity that exists for promoting reconciliation and political settlement, which must be an Afghan-led process. President Karzai has made it clear he will talk to anyone who is willing to end the violence, split with al-Qaida and accept the Afghan constitution.”
In this regard the US President welcomed the positive co-operation between Afghanistan and Pakistan to achieve that end.
President Obama urged Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qadhafi to stand down from power, “We will continue those operations until Qadhafi's attacks on civilians cease. Time is working against Qadhafi and he must step down from power and leave Libya to the Libyan people.”
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