Al Qaeda Planning Attacks On US From Pakistan – Obama

United States President Barack Obama on Wednesday said Al Qaeda was planning attacks on the US from its hideouts in Pakistan, a private TV channel reported.

Obama said the US would “chase and defeat the terrorist organisation wherever it is present in the world”, the channel said. Addressing a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London, Obama said US policy was clear for both Pakistan and Afghanistan and Kabul would not be allowed to become a safe haven for Al Qaeda.

Interest: The US president said elimination of Al Qaeda was in the greater interest of both countries, adding that all countries must “pick up the pace” to boost the world economy.

Speaking on the occasion, Brown said the US and Britain will have to work together to fix the global economic crisis. He said the crisis could be overcome by strengthening international economic institutions.

Obama’s comments come after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the attack on a police training academy in Lahore and warned of further attacks in Pakistan and the US. “These (attacks) were in reaction to (US) drone strikes in the Tribal Areas,” Baitullah Mehsud told BBC Urdu over the telephone from an undisclosed location.

“Over the next few days, more such attacks will come … two or three suicide attacks will take place,” warned Mehsud. “As long as the (US) drone attacks continue, we will not stop.” The Taliban leader said he would himself “teach the US a lesson”. “Very soon we will take revenge from America … in Washington, which will amaze the entire world,” he had said.

via Source