Obama warns of Al-Qaeda's plans to attack US from Pakistan

Washington, March 27 (ANI): The U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday said Al-Qaeda is 'actively planning' attacks on US from safe havens in Pakistan.

President Obama reminded the citizens of America that the U.S goal is to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan and warned that the situation in Afghanistan is increasingly perilous.

"I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan and to prevent their return to either country in the future," said Obama.

"That is the goal that must be achieved. That is a cause that could not be more just. And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: we will defeat you, " Obama added.

"Attacks against our troops, our NATO allies, and the Afghan government have risen steadily. Most painfully, 2008 was the deadliest year of the war for American forces," Obama informed.

Unfolding a new US strategy to defeat Taliban and Al-Qaeda, Obama said Pakistan must be 'stronger partner' in destroying Al-Qaeda safe havens.

Obama said Pakistan would be provided financial assistance of 1.5 billion dollars each year for next five years. However, the US would not provide a blank cheque to Pakistan "as they also needed to prove their commitment in war against terror."

However, on Afghanistan, Obama said US will not turn blind eye to Afghan government corruption.

The US President proposed setting up a new contact group on Afghanistan including Iran to tackle the bloody Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgency. (ANI)