Yousaf Raza Gilani speaks during joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur, 26 Jul 2008

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani vowed to fight terrorism as he embarked Saturday, on a visit to Washington to meet with U.S. President George Bush.

Prime Minister Gilani told reporters near Islamabad the fight against extremism is Pakistan's own cause.

Mr. Gilani's trip comes as violence continues to rise in the tribal regions of northwest Pakistan.  U.S. and Afghan officials have called on Pakistan to fight militants who launch attacks on Afghan and foreign forces along the Afghan border.

The Pakistani government has repeatedly said it will not allow foreign forces to conduct operations against militants on Pakistani soil.

Mr. Gilani's visit is the first official trip to Washington since taking office in March. 

The Pakistani leader will also meet with U.S. presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. 

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