WASHINGTON, July 16: The White House said on Monday that the ‘carrot approach’ did not work in the tribal areas, forcing Pakistan to send in more troops to the region to control the situation.

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow also dismissed the suggestion that President George W. Bush no longer trusts his Pakistani counterpart, adding that the US leader “has respect and admiration for President Musharraf, who is dealing with a very tough situation and his own life has been placed at risk by virtue of his cooperating with the United States.”

Speaking at the regular White House briefing, Mr Snow said: “As President Bush has pointed out many times, President Musharraf certainly understands the dangers posed by terrorists -- Al Qaeda and Taliban. They’ve made at least two efforts on his life.”

He said that although he would not like to give “an assessment of competence,” he believed President Musharraf knew that his peace plan for the tribal areas was not working and he “has been effective in using force against those who have been committing acts of terror. And, you know, we certainly hope it succeeds.”