By SPA,
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : President George W. Bush and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Sunday pledged to fight terrorism, Reuters reported.
Bush met Gilani for the first time at this Red Sea resort in a series of bilateral meetings he is holding at the end of a trip to the Middle East focused on advancing the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.
Bush said they spoke about a “common desire to protect ourselves and others from those who would do harm” and he thanked Gilani for his steadfast support.
Gilani, standing next to Bush outside his hotel villa, said terrorism and extremism were “the biggest threat to the world” and pledged that his government was committed to fighting it.
“I have lost my own great leader Benazir Bhutto because of terrorism,” Gilani said.
The United States is seeking to cement relations with the new government leaders in Pakistan.
“I appreciate the fact that you’re committed to working to make sure that relations between the United States and Pakistan are strong and vibrant and productive,” Bush said.
“Relations are good between our two countries and they will continue to be good,” he said.
Bush and Gilani said they also discussed high food prices, energy issues, and economic cooperation.