The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

Pakistan will not allow foreign troops in to its tribal areas to root out extremists threatening coalition troops in neighbouring Afghanistan, its foreign minister said here Thursday.

"Invading the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) is not an option," Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a question and answer session after a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies think-tank in central London.

"It will not solve any issue. First of all, we are a sovereign country andt we feel that we have capable troops in Pakistan that can look after peace and security within our territory."

Qureshi's comments came as Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani prepared to leave for the United States to discuss stepping up efforts against Islamist extremists launching attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan.

The visit comes amid mounting fears in Pakistan that the United States is prepared to launch military "hot pursuit" raids into the troubled Pakistani tribal belt as attacks soar in Afghanistan.