Bush praises Pak's role in foiling UK terror plot

US President telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf to convey his "appreciation".

US President George W Bush on Wednesday telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf to convey his "appreciation" for Islamabad's cooperation in foiling the plot to blow up US-bound planes from UK and discussed a host of issues, including the military ruler's forthcoming visit to Washington next month.

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"President Bush telephoned the President today. In the context of London terror plot, President Bush expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan's role in fighting terrorism and the support Pakistan has been extending internationally in this regard," an official release said.

Bush also said he was looking forward to his meeting with Musharraf in the US next month and to the opportunity of exchanging views on international developments and on measures to further strengthen the strategic relationship between Pakistan and the United States, it said.

Musharraf, who would be visiting the US in mid-September to take part in the UN General Assembly meeting, is scheduled to spend about 10 days in United States during which he is also expected to go to Washington to hold talks with Bush and other American officials.

The Pakistani leader is also set to launch his autobiography In Line with Fire being published by an American publisher in New York on September 25.