Rice seeks concrete action from Zardari on Mumbai probe

Islamabad, Dec.4 : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has reportedly got an assurance from Pakistan President Asi Ali Zardari that he and his government are committed to cooperate with India in the ongoing investigation into last week's terror attacks in Mumbai.

Zardari, according ton CBS, has vowed to take "strong action" against any militants in his country if they are found to be involved.

Zardari stopped short, however, of meeting India's demand that any suspects be turned over to New Delhi. He said earlier this week that any suspects - with proven evidence against them - would be tried in Pakistan.

CBS News, quoting sources in the Pakistan capital, said Rice has made it clear that the U.S. wants to see a series of "concrete steps" from Islamabad, going beyond just another ban on Islamic groups.

Rice said measures such as arresting people and putting them on trial on the basis of solid evidence should be, "part of a new and more acceptable effort," a senior Pakistani security official told CBS News.

Rice and Zardari discussed the rising tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai attacks and the steps that are required to resolve the issue.

Rice said neither country was considering a military response to the increase tension.

In regards to her confidence in India's and Pakistan's ability to deal directly with each other in this matter, Rice said she hoped both countries would "keep lines of communication open."

Before leaving Pakistan, Rice told reporters that she had good discussions with leaders in both Pakistan and India, where she visited on Wednesday.

She said the Mumbai attack showed a level of sophistication that warranted urgency by all the countries involved to bring the perpetrators to justice.

ANI