October 8, 2001	Monday	Rajab 20, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: US Secretary of State Gen Colin Powell is expected to arrive here shortly, apparently to assess the regional security situation in the wake of allied forces’ attack on Afghanistan, a diplomatic source said.

Gen Powell, who lead the allied forces’ operation ‘Desert Strom’ during the Gulf War against Iraq will meet senior military officials, including President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

The US secretary of state is also expected to visit other regional countries, including India, the source said.

Earlier a US delegation, led by Pentagon officials, had visited Pakistan last week. The delegation during its stay in the country had met the military officials for an exchange of intelligence information about Osama bin Laden and his associates of Al Qaeda group.

US States Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld has recently completed a visit to the region. During his visit he went to Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia.