U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has arrived in Pakistan for talks on terrorism, the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the peace process between India and Pakistan.
The foreign ministry in Islamabad says Mr. Armitage will meet with President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other high-ranking officials.
Mr. Armitage is the first high-ranking U.S. official to visit Pakistan since President Bush's reelection last week. His visit coincides with the arrival of the new U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan Crocker.
Pakistan is a key U.S. ally in the war against terrorism. Its security forces have arrested hundreds of al-Qaida suspects in South Waziristan, a semi-autonomous tribal region bordering Afghanistan. The region is considered a possible hideout for al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP.