Thursday, September 7 2006 12:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The 'peace deal' between Pakistan and pro-Taliban leaders of Waziristan, a tribal region bordering north Afghanistan, is in the 'shared interest' of both the countries, the US has said.

"Afghanistan and Pakistan have a shared interest in seeing that the border area is not a safe haven for Al Qaida or terrorists. Afghanistan and Pakistan are both threatened by Al Qaida," State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said in a briefing.

He said the US would keep an eye on how the deal is being implemented.

"We'll see how this agreement plays out. I know that this is something that is very important to President Musharraf in trying to get a handle on the situation.So we will see how the agreement is implemented," he added.

Hoping that the pact would help Pakistan in tackling problems in the border areas he said, "I know that this is something that is very important to President Musharraf in trying to get a handle on that situation." On the details of the agreement McCormack said "The agreement is that the people of North Waziristan, of that area, will no longer allow Waziristan to serve as a launching point for attacks; that it will not be a safe haven for Al Qaida. And in return, the Pakistan military will go into cantonment areas."

"They will you can talk to the Pakistanis about exactly where they will withdraw to. But those forces will still be available to take action if necessary. And there are also a number of political and economic aspects to this agreement" he added.