WASHINGTON, Feb 1: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday attended the White House prayer breakfast together.

In remarks at the 55th annual National Prayer Breakfast, President George W Bush said although citizens of the United States come from many faiths, they shared a profound conviction in their beliefs.

He hailed US soldiers in war zones around the world, and said America was a nation that produces courageous men and women willing to defend their country.

As a goodwill gesture, Mr Bush served tea to some guests in uniform and to his wife Laura Bush. The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event attended by the president, members of the US Congress and leaders from around the world.

This year's conference was particularly important because of a change in Congress which passed from Republican to Democrats' control in November's mid-term elections.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, who was one of the hosts, left the meeting five minutes before President Bush’s speech, causing some to say that it reflects tensions between a Democratic Congress and Republican White House.

But master of the ceremony informed the audience that Ms Pelosi had other engagements and that’s why she left early.

Mr Bush, nevertheless, thanked her for attending the event.

“I appreciate the Speaker's presence,” said Mr Bush while thanking those members of the Senate and the House of Representatives – including a large number of Democrats – who came to pray with him.

Minister of State for Privatisation and Investment Umar Ahmad Ghumman represented the government of Pakistan at the prayer.

Earlier on Thursday, his office issued a list of prominent people the minister was scheduled to meet.

However, none of the important people had meetings with any of the 5,000 guests who had come from 166 countries except those sharing the tables with them.

Ms Bhutto’s aides said that it was no occasion for private meetings.

“She exchanged greetings with dozens of lawmakers, US officials and other prominent guests but these were not meetings,” said former PPP senator Khawja Akbar who shared the table with Ms Bhutto and Mr Zardari.