Obama's top aide lauds Pakistan efforts for Afghan peace

 Special Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs, Dr. Peter Lavoy, on Wednesday recognized Pakistan's efforts and facilitation role in the Afghan reconciliation process.

Talking to Pakistan's top Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, in Islamabad, Dr Lavoy expressed the US desire to have stronger relations between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the U.S. for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

The high level Pakistan-US talks were held at a time when the Pakistan-brokered Afghan peace negotiations were postponed in the wake of the confirmation of the death of Mullah Omar.

Pakistan facilitated the first ever face-to-face talks between senior representatives of the Afghan Taliban and the gov't on July 7 and the second round was scheduled to be held on July 31st.

Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani has now put a stop on the Pakistan-brokered talks and says Afghanistan will now organize the talks following a series of recent bomb attacks in Kabul and some Afghan urban areas.

The attacks caused some diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Thursday for talks on security and anti- terror issues.

Pakistani Adviser, Sartaj Aziz, reiterated his country's commitment to support and facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan- owned peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Dr. Peter Lavoy also "appreciated Pakistan's successful operation to root out terrorism and extremism from the country," and underscored that the US wanted to further strengthen and broaden Pakistan-US relations.

Dr Lavoy was accompanied by the US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Ms. Rose Gottemoeller.

The meeting was focused on recent political and security developments in Afghanistan, Pakistan-India relations and Pakistan- U.S bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, while appreciating the upward trajectory in Pakistan-US relations, the Adviser emphasized the need to upgrade this bilateral relationship to a new strategic level.

The Adviser highlighted the counter-terrorism efforts and progress made by Pakistan in strengthening democratic institutions. He highlighted Pakistan's strong commitment to the policy of non- interference and peaceful neighborhood in the region.