Richard Holbrooke to visit Pakistan, Afghanistan soon

Washington/Islamabad, Jan. 24 (ANI): The newly appointed U.S. Special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, intends to visit the region as soon as possible, the US State Department said on Friday.

State department spokesman Robert Woods told the daily briefing that he "spoke to Ambassador Holbrooke, and he said he was going to try to get out as soon as he could, but he didn't have a timeframe on that," The News reported.

Woods said a special representative "historically has been an individual who basically coordinates among various entities, and in this case with regard to Ambassador Holbrooke, (he will be) coordinating amongst the various U.S. Government agencies that have equities with regard to Pakistan and Afghanistan."

Earlier, U.S. ambassador in Pakistan Anne W. Patterson met with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari here today.

During meeting situation of the region besides new U.S. administration and other issues came under discussion.

On the occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed concern over U.S. drone strikes in Northern areas of the country.(ANI)