Pakistan intelligence agency scraps UK visit

David Cameron was facing tricky talks this week with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari after the British prime minister's remarks on the export of terror triggered a diplomatic spat.Zardari's three-day visit later this week is likely to be overshadowed by the fall-out from Cameron's outspoken comments in Pakistan's rival neighbour India last week.Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency has already pulled out of a visit to discuss counter-terrorism co-operation with British security services in London.

When Prince Harry compared fighting in Afghanistan to playing a video game, the Taliban were quick to accuse him of mental illness and cowardice, joining a chorus of criticism from all sides. But in Afghanistan's highest reaches of government he has found at least one ally.

British Prime Minister David Cameron defended Tuesday his warning about Pakistani support for terror, as President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to confront the charges head-on during a visit here.Zardari said he would explain why Islamabad is angry "face to face" with Cameron after the recently-elected British leader suggested elements in Pakistan backed "the export of terror" to its neighbours Afghanistan and India.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was in Britain Wednesday amid a row over terrorism, and rising criticism over his failure to return home in the aftermath of the worst floods in living memory.Zardari, who arrived in Britain Tuesday, will hold talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron Friday and explain "face to face" Islamabad's anger over Cameron's claim last week that Pakistan promoted the "export of terror".

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Pakistan Friday on a surprise visit aimed at resolving tensions raised by the killing of Osama bin Laden near Islamabad.The top US diplomat is to meet with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, army chief General Ashfaq Kayani and the chief of Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency Ahmad Shuja Pasha, the State Department said.Clinton, who is accompanied by chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, is expected to demand more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.

President Asif Ali Zardari was to confront David Cameron in formal talks on Friday over the British prime minister's claims that Pakistan is an exporter of terrorism.Relations between the two countries have soured since Cameron hit out at Pakistan while on a visit to India last week."We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country (Pakistan) is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world," he told an audience in Bangalore, southern India.

The diplomatic row over Britain's accusation that Pakistan supports terrorism intensified Wednesday as President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in London with a vow to tackle the charges head-on.Zardari -- also under fire for continuing a European trip despite deadly floods at home -- flew into Britain late Tuesday after saying he would explain Islamabad's anger "face to face" following the British premier's accusation.British Prime Minister David Cameron, who triggered the dispute by suggesting elements in Pakistan back the "export of terror", insisted he stood by his comments.

France sees Pakistan as a reliable friend, President Ali Asif Zardari said Monday after meeting his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris."France feels that Pakistan is a responsible partner with them in the world," Zardari told reporters at the Elysee Palace, adding that Sarkozy would visit Pakistan later in the year.The talks took place on the first day of a five-day trip by Zardari to France and Britain, a visit which has been overshadowed by British Prime Minister David Cameron's charge that elements in Pakistan "export terror".