US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday praised Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism, saying no country had suffered more than Pakistan in the global anti-terror war.
Cameron also said the West should redouble its efforts to work with Pakistan in seeking to stamp out terrorism. “People are asking questions about our relationship, so we need to be clear: Pakistan has suffered more from terrorism than any other country in the world. Their enemy is our enemy,” the British PM said. “Far from walking away, we’ve got to work even more closely with them.” In a joint press conference after their meeting at 10 Downing Street, Obama and Cameron also welcomed cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The two leaders also agreed on the need to give top priority in the coming months to engaging Taliban insurgents in a peace process in Afghanistan. “Now is the moment to step up our efforts to reach a political settlement,” Cameron said. “The Taliban must make a decisive split from al Qaeda, give up violence, and join a political process that will bring lasting peace to that country. We are agreed to give this the highest priority in the months ahead.” The US, which will shortly begin bringing some of its 100,000 soldiers home, has said it wants to hand over security to Afghan control by the end of 2014.
“We are now preparing to turn a corner in Afghanistan by transitioning to Afghan lead,” Obama said in an address to members of the British parliament. “During this transition, we will pursue a lasting peace with those who break free from al Qaeda and respect the Afghan constitution and lay down arms,” he said. Obama said the West was fighting against terrorism and not Islam. “Al Qaeda and its affiliates not only killed western citizens but thousands of Muslims around the world. Today, we confront a different enemy. Terrorists have taken the lives of our citizens in New York and in London, while al Qaeda seeks a religious war with the West, let’s remember that they have killed thousands of Muslims men, women and children around the globe,” Obama said.
“Our nations will never be at war with Islam,” he added.
“In that effort, we will not relent, as Osama bin Laden and his followers have learned. And as we fight an enemy that respects no law of war, we will continue to hold ourselves to a higher standard – by living up to the values and the rule of law that we so ardently defend,” the US president said. He said al Qaeda back bone has been broken by killing of its chief and Afghanistan would not be used the launching pad for terrorists.
‘West needs to redouble support for Pakistan’
