Islamabad: With the US-led forces in Afghanistan stepping up cross-border attacks on militants in Pakistan s tribal areas, President Asif Ali Zardari today said violations of the country's borders would not be tolerated.

 During a meeting with visiting British Permanent Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs Peter Ricketts and Permanent Under Secretary in the Home Office, David Normington, Zardari said Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.

 Official sources were quoted by Dawn News channel as saying that Zardari had told the British officials that violations of Pakistan s frontiers would not be tolerated.

 The officials discussed bilateral ties, trade and economic relations and the war on terror with Zardari, who called on Britain to cooperate with Pakistan in eliminating terrorism.

The regional security situation, especially the situation on the troubled Pakistan-Afghanistan border and the tribal areas, was also discussed, the sources said.

 The British officials assured Zardari of full cooperation in economic and security issues, they said. Pakistan has angrily protested against a series of cross-border missile strikes by US drones in its tribal areas, describing them as a violation of the country s sovereignty.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said Zardari highlighted "Pakistan s multi-dimensional approach in dealing with the scourge of terrorism, which had been acknowledged all around". "In this regard, the international community, particularly Pakistan's friends, needed to show greater understanding and support for its position," Zardari said.

Zardari also stressed the government's "determination to overcome the present economic challenges which had come about as a result of the international economic situation".

 The British officials expressed understanding for Pakistan s situation and said their country would extend support as part of the Friends of Pakistan group.

Source : PTI