US says test of Pak's will to take on Taliban lies in "sustainability" of military offensive

Washington, Apr.29 (ANI): The United States, while welcoming the Pakistan military's offensive against the Taliban, has expressed hope that the operation would be sustained till the extremists are rooted out from the region.

"The test of all of these Pakistani military operations, because we've seen them from time to time in the past, is always their sustainability," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.

Talking to media persons here, Morell said the United States is ready to help Pakistan in whatever way it could because it wants a permanent solution to the problem which has been threatening peace and stability not only in the region but also in the entire world.

"We think that the military operations that are under way in Buner and Dir districts are exactly the appropriate response to the offensive operations by the Taliban and other militants over the past few weeks. We are very much encouraging of those efforts and stand ready to help them in any which way that we could," The News quoted Morell, as saying.

Morell added that it was essential for the Pakistani military to carry on the offensive. However, he was skeptical about the army pursuing the militants beyond Buner and into the Swat Valley.

Meanwhile, State Department spokesman Robert Wood said that the operation was in Pakistan's own interest, as the outlawed outfit has become a threat to its existence.

"I don't think it's a question of goodwill. This is something that's in the interest of the government of Pakistan. These Taliban and other extremists have posed an existential threat to Pakistan," Wood said. (ANI)