Smitten Zardari can't get enough of "gorgeous" Palin

New York, Sept.25 : A smitten Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari appeared to fall head over heels during his meeting with Alaska Governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin here on Wednesday, and described her as gorgeous.

Zardari and a delegation of Pakistani officials greeted Palin. The conversation between the two went as follows:

"I am honored to meet you," Ms. Palin said.

"You are even more gorgeous than you are on the (inaudible)," Mr. Zardari said.

"You are so nice," Ms. Palin replied. "Thank you."

"Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you," Mr. Zardari continued.

At which point an aide told the two to shake hands.

"I'm supposed to pose again," Ms. Palin said.

If he's insisting," Mr. Zardari said, "I might hug."

Earlier, Sherry Rehman, the Pakistani information minister, welcomed Ms. Palin.

"Busy on the campaign trail?" she asked the governor.

"Yes, yes," Ms. Palin replied.

"How does one keep looking that good?" Ms. Rehman asked.

"Oh, oh, thank you," the New York Times quoted the governor as replying.

Earlier Wednesday, Palin had met with Jalal Talabani, the president of Iraq, and other Iraqi officials.

Palin engaged in small talk with Hiro Ibrahim Ahmed, Iraq's First Lady.

"Plenty to do here, isn't there?" Ms. Palin remarked, presumably about New York. "Plenty to see."

With a bit of nationalist pride, or perhaps the irritation of a spouse not thrilled about being dragged along on a business trip, the First Lady replied, "I have plenty to do at home, also."

ANI