US-Pakistan 'partnership' pledge

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US President Barack Obama and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari have pledged to maintain a "strong partnership", the White House has said.

Mr Obama spoke to Mr Zardari by phone and expressed his "support for Pakistan's democracy".

The US president's comments came as his envoy to the region, Richard Holbrooke, continued contacts in Pakistan.

Earlier this week, Mr Obama said his administration will not allow "safe havens" for militants in Pakistan.

He was referring to Pakistan's restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

"President Obama expressed his support for Pakistan's democracy and his commitment to a strong partnership with Pakistan," the White House said in a statement.

"The two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining a strong bilateral relationship to address issues of common interest, such as counter-terrorism and economic development," it said.

'Dire'

The two leaders spoke days after US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke arrived in Islamabad for talks.

"In line with Ambassador Holbrooke's mission, both leaders agreed to work together to advance peace and prosperity in Pakistan and the region," the White House statement said.

During his visit, Mr Holbrooke went to north-west Pakistan to see at first hand the troubles caused by the militant insurgency.

He has met senior politicians and tribal leaders and also visited the Khyber tribal region close to Peshawar.

The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says Mr Holbrooke is being seen as a key actor in a new effort to reverse the deteriorating situation on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Mr Holbrooke has met Pakistan's political leadership, including President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

He also had talks with Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, the country's army chief, and Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha, director-general of the ISI intelligence agency.

Mr Holbrooke has said he is in the region to "listen and learn" and will report back to President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Before his trip the envoy called the situation in Pakistan "dire".

The US and Pakistan have had serious disagreements over the Afghan border zone, with Washington unhappy at Pakistani efforts to tackle militants and Islamabad condemning US drone attacks inside its territory.

On Tuesday, Mr Gilani said his country and the US must base their relationship on "trust, cohesion and understanding".