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Britain Praises Pakistani Reforms


British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has praised Pakistan for what he described as the young government's "reforming zeal."

Miliband welcomed Pakistan's efforts to battle a rising insurgency and hold talks with neighboring India and Afghanistan.

The British diplomat said the Pakistani government's cooperative tone has gained the confidence of the international community.

Miliband's comments came after a meeting Wednesday in Islamabad with his Pakistani counterpart, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Pakistan's government, which is less than a year old, has been under pressure from the United States and its allies to do more to fight militants in Pakistan's northwest, a region the U.S. considers a haven for al-Qaida and Taliban-linked fighters.

Improved relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan is seen as key to cracking down on a militant insurgency.

In violence Wednesday, police in Pakistan say two militants and two civilians were killed during a gunfight in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Officials say the militants attacked the home of a local government administrator in the Mattni area on the outskirts of the city. At least four other people were wounded during the clash.

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

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