The Pakistani Taliban says it is open to holding talks with the country's newly elected government.

Yousaf Raza Gilani talks to media upon his arrival at Parliament House in Islamabad, Pakistan, 24 Mar 2008

A spokesman for the militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Maulvi Omar, says the group is ready to cooperate with the government and bring peace to tribal areas.

However, he urged Pakistani officials to end their cooperation with U.S.-led forces that are fighting an insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan.

On Saturday, Pakistan's newly-elected Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that fighting terrorism will be his government's top priority, but added that he is willing to talk to militants who are ready to lay down their arms.

Pakistan has suffered from a series of recent attacks blamed on al-Qaida and Taliban militants operating in the country's tribal regions.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.