Thousands of civilians continue to flee Pakistani war zone

Mardan: Thousands of Pakistanis continued to flee fighting in the northwest on Friday, adding to the humanitarian emergency in the country.

Refugees overwhelmed camps and hospitals to the south of the fighting. Pakistan's prime minister appealed for international assistance and vowed to defeat the militants.

"I appeal to the people of Pakistan to support the government and army at this crucial time," Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said in a television address late on Thursday.

"We pledge to eliminate the elements who have destroyed the peace and calm of the nation and wanted to take Pakistan hostage at gunpoint," Gilani said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said fighting had cut access to places where civilians were most in need.

The military has stepped up operations in the Swat Valley and neighbouring districts to weed out Taliban and Al Qaida-linked guerrillas.