September 13, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 12, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has ruled out retaliatory action against incursions by US-led coalition forces into Pakistan’s territory and said that the government will instead use diplomatic channels to dissuade the United States and the United Kingdom from taking such actions.

Replying to a question about a US missile attack in North Waziristan on Friday morning, the prime minister said: “We can take up the issue of these attacks at the diplomatic level but we cannot go to war.”

Talking to journalists at an Iftar party, he said: “Pakistan is capable of dealing effectively with terrorists and militants on its soil.” He reiterated that Pakistan was capable of taking action against terrorism inside the country in an affective way.

Mr Gilani said Pakistan had cordial relations with all countries and it could convince them that the situation in its areas was its internal matter. “We will convince both the US and the UK to respect our sovereignty.”

Replying to a question, he said: “If anyone has credible, actionable and reliable intelligence about terrorists, it should be shared with us so that we can take action. If any step is taken for building our capacity we will welcome it.”