From The Khaleej Times

US Vice President Dick Cheney made an unannounced visit to Pakistan on Monday to press President Pervez Musharraf to step up efforts to combat a new Taleban offensive in Afghanistan and a resurgent Al Qaeda.

He asked President Musharraf that Pakistan should do more, a Pakistani official said after the meeting between Cheney and Musharraf at the presidential palace in Islamabad.

Cheney, however, appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and steps being taken to combat terrorism, the official added.

Cheney arrived under tight security after spending the night in Oman.

His visit to Islamabad coincided with one by Margaret Beckett, Britain’s Foreign Secretary. Beckett also held talks with Musharraf on Monday morning.

The president made it clear to Cheney that Pakistan is doing its best and militancy and violence are Afghanistan’s problems and their roots are there, not in Pakistan, the Pakistani official said.

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