Washington: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday drew praise from US President George W. Bush for his commitment in the joint battle against extremism.
Both leaders however did not touch on news of the latest clash in Pakistan, a missile strike that hit a religious school just inside the border with Afghanistan.
Bush and Gilani strolled before the assembled media on the South Lawn of the White House after a private meeting. Appearing upbeat, the two leaders sought to publicly assure their constituencies that the bilateral bond remains strong despite tensions.
Bush said his meeting with Gilani had been constructive. "After all, Pakistan is a strong ally and a vibrant democracy," he said.
"Of course we talked about the common threat we face, extremists who are very dangerous people," Bush said.
He praised Gilani for leading a strong commitment to securing the border with Afghanistan.
The vote of confidence came as US officials have called for Pakistan to stop militants from staging cross-border attacks on US forces in Afghanistan.
Gilani said he wants the people of the United States to know that vast majority of Pakistanis want peace, and want to cooperate with the US.
Meanwhile, officials and state media back home confirmed at least six deaths after missiles hit a religious school in a village just inside the border.
Strained ties
Details about the strike, including those responsible for it and the likely targets, remained murky. The incident followed a series of strikes apparently by US aircraft in recent months against militant leaders holed up in the tribal belt.
One of the attacks killed a senior Al Qaida leader in the North Waziristan region in January.
The incidents have strained relations with Washington, particularly since the new government took power nearly four months ago and sidelined staunch US ally President Pervez Musharraf.
Islamabad has resisted suggestions that US or other foreign troops should be allowed into the remote region to combat militants.
Officials say they are working towards agreements that would require the tribes to give up their weapons, withdraw support for foreign fighters and end attacks across the border.
US and Afghan officials have maintained all along that Taliban fighters are sheltering in Pakistan.
Militants based in tribal areas, where Osama Bin Laden and his top aides are believed to be hiding, have said they are sending fighters to Afghanistan.
