Rice meets Pakistani counterpart to discuss counterterrorism, Afghanistan

National Security Advisor Susan Rice affirmed U.S. support "to advance development, promote security, and help create lasting peace and prosperity for all Pakistanis" on Tuesday, as she met here with that country's National Security and Foreign Affairs Advisor, Sartaj Aziz. In a readout provided by the White House, the two leaders are said to have "reaffirmed both countries' commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and advancing shared interests in a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan," as well as "ways to increase the effectiveness of counterterrorism cooperation" and "the importance of combating extremism and promoting peace and stability throughout the region." They also expressed their backing for "an Afghan-led peace process and acknowledged the importance of advancing Afghan peace and reconciliation." Rice and Aziz further discussed how to "deepen and enhance the U.S. -Pakistan partnership" and "their countries' shared dedication to nuclear security."