This Article is From May 18, 2012

Zardari leaves for US to attend NATO summit

Zardari leaves for US to attend NATO summit
Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has left for Chicago to attend the  NATO summit as Pakistan mulls the reopening of supplies for the coalition forces in Afghanistan, a Pakistan media report said on Friday.

Mr Zardari will be in Chicago for the 25th NATO Summit being held on May 20-21 at the invitation of the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, reported Geo News.

The Foreign Office said that the decision to attend the summit was taken after both the defence committee of cabinet and federal cabinet endorsed the invitation.

Mr Zardari would address an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) meeting.

Pakistan had cut off the NATO supply route after an airstrike in November last year in Salala near the Afghanistan border left two dozen Pakistan Army soldiers dead. US has been holding talks with Islamabad for an early reopening of the route.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday had said that reopening the NATO supplies was in the interest of Pakistan.

"The restoration of NATO supplies will be strictly in accordance with the resolution adopted by the parliament," she said on a TV programme.

"Pakistan wants an apology from America on Salala incident.

"Restoration of NATO supplies is in the interest of Pakistan. There is no hidden agreement behind the reopening of NATO routes," she added.
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