US to meet 'legitimate' Pak defence needs

Rumsfeld gave the assurance during his talks with military leader President Pervez Musharraf late Wednesday, according to an official statement carried by the Associated Press of Pakistan.

The US official, who left Pakistan for Kyrgyzstan early Thursday, reiterated the United States's "commitment to broadening and deepening its strategic relationship with Pakistan".

"Secretary Rumsfeld reaffirmed the US decision to enhance military assistance to Pakistan and strengthen defence cooperation with Pakistan," the statement said.

"Washington would be stepping up support to meet Pakistan's legitimate defence needs," it added.

Musharraf told Rumsfeld the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan would be an "important factor for preserving regional peace and security," the statement said.

Pakistan is a key US ally in its so-called international war on terror and has arrested around 700 al-Qaeda fugitives since 9/11 and the US invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan, most of them handed over to US custody.