Zardari blames international community for creating militancy, extremism

Islamabad, Dec.23 (ANI): Troubled Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has blamed the international community for creating the 'modern militancy and extremism', and has said that it should help Pakistan to clear the mess.

During a meeting with French Chief of Armed Forces Defence Staff, General Jean-Louis Georgelin, Zardari said international community had created the militancy to wage a proxy against rival ideologies.

"The monsters ... (in the form of) militants and extremists were created by the international community in the past to fight rival ideologies, and it is the responsibility of the international community to help Pakistan fight and contain the fallout for the this South Asian country," The Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

"Non-state actors wanted to push sovereign countries to go to war, and the international community must unite against the threat," he added.

A statement by the Presidency said that matters related to militancy and defence cooperation were discussed during the meeting.

Earlier, General Georgelin called on Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to discuss various issues including defence and economic ties between Pakistan and France.

During the meeting, Gilani also called for increased intelligence sharing and improved coordination between the Pakistani forces and NATO troops fighting in neighbouring Afghanistan. (ANI)