US delegation protests illegal detention of diplomat in Pak

Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Feb 4 (PTI) A US Congressional delegationprotested the "continued illegal detention" of an Americandiplomat in Lahore during a meeting with Pakistan PrimeMinister Yousuf Raza Gilani today.

The bipartisan delegation comprising US RepresentativesBuck McKeon, John Kline and Silvestre Reyes called on thePakistan government "to abide by its obligation underinternational and Pakistani law to recognize his diplomaticimmunity and immediately release him", said a brief statementissued by the US embassy.

The US has stepped up pressure on Pakistan to releaseconsular employee Raymond Davis, who was arrested after heshot and killed two alleged robbers in Lahore on January 27.

A third Pakistani died when he was hit by a US consulatevehicle rushing to the aid of Davis.

The US has made two demands for the release of Davis inthe past seven days, saying his "continued detention is agross violation of international law".