ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: Pakistan on Wednesday vowed to maintain its conventional arms capability as a deterrent to war.

"It is important for peace in the region that Pakistan maintains this (conventional arms capability), Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told visiting Commander US Central Command General John P. Abizaid, who met him in Islamabad.

Mr Abizaid arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for talks with country's civil and military leaders on important bilateral and regional issues, with a special focus on ways to bolster defence ties, the latest developments in Afghanistan and the on-going war against terror.

"Pakistan strives for peace and stability in the region and needs to upgrade its defence capability," an official statement quoted Prime Minister Aziz as saying. He said he hoped the recent US arms sale worth 1.3 billion dollars for the Pakistan armed forces would go a long way in maintaining country's conventional arms capability.

The Pentagon last month notified the US Congress about three proposed arms deals with Pakistan, which included delivery of eight P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft, 2,000 TOW-2A missiles, 14 TOW-2A fly-to-buy missiles, six PHA-LANX rapid-fire 20-millimeter guns for surface ships and up-grades of six additional gun systems.

Mr Aziz said Pakistan was trying to improve the expertise and skills of its armed forces, adding "we appreciate American assistance in this regard." Following the dramatic events of 9/11, Pakistan became a close ally of the US by extending critical logistical support to Washington and sharing intelligence information, which helped oust the radical Taliban regime in Afghanistan three years ago.

In March the US granted Pakistan the status of a major non-Nato ally in addition to pledging a three-billion-dollar economic and military aid package and writing off loans owed by Islamabad worth 1.7 billion dollars.

Mr Abizaid's visit takes place days ahead of a Pakistan-United States Defence Consultative Group (DCG) meeting, scheduled to be held in Islamabad later this month.

The DCG meeting is expected to firm up more proposals envisaging a list of weapons Pakistan wants to buy from the US, including F-16 aircraft, sources told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. The Group will also discuss ways to enhance cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism, military education and training, including joint military exercises.

"Pakistan strives for peace in the region and working for close and friendly relations with all its neighbours," Mr Aziz said in reference to country's relationship with Afghanistan and India. "We support a strong and stable Afghanistan," he reiterated. -dpa