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Washington: President George W. Bush said yesterday he was troubled by a US intelligence report's finding that Al Qaida had become entrenched in a safe haven in Pakistan's tribal region near Afghanistan.
But Bush offered support for embattled President Pervez Musharraf, saying he felt Musharraf was committed to fighting Al Qaida and Taliban militants.
A portion of the National Intelligence Estimate made public this week found a "persistent and evolving" threat to the United States from militant groups, especially Osama Bin Laden's Al Qaida.
In his weekly radio address, Bush said the report's assessment that Al Qaida was gaining strength in the tribal region of Pakistan was "one of the most troubling".
The White House has acknowledged a truce reached last September with tribal leaders had not worked and Bush said the leaders proved unwilling or unable to police the area themselves.
"President Musharraf recognises the agreement has not been successful or well-enforced and is taking active steps to correct," Bush said.
Pakistani forces are in the fight against militants and the United States supports them, Bush said.
"We will work with our partners to deny safe haven to the Taliban and Al Qaida in Pakistan - or anywhere else in the world," he added.
Crisis
Musharraf faces a political crisis at home amid waves of violence that erupted after government forces stormed an Islamabad mosque earlier this month to end a siege by militants.
The North Waziristan area near the Afghan border is believed to be a hotbed of Al Qaida and Taliban activity and US officials say Bin Laden and other top Al Qaida leaders are hiding there.
The United States has been pressing the Pakistan government to do more to curb Al Qaida activities in the border area and has not ruled out US strikes.
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