Zardari to protect Pakistan sovereignty

Faced with increasing pressure from all sides, Pakistan's new President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to protect the nation's sovereignty from both terrorists and foreign forces.

Zardari, the husband of slain President Benazir Bhutto, said: "I ask of the government that it should be firm in its resolve to not allow the use of its soil for carrying out terrorist activities against any foreign country. We will not tolerate the violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity by any power in the name of combating terrorism."

PakTribune.com

Zardari to uphold Pakistan sovereignty United Press International - 1 hour ago ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari says he won't allow either terrorists or foreign forces fighting them to violate the country's sovereignty. Pakistani president tells foreign troops to keep out CNN Pakistan's Zardari to give up powers AFP

Pakistani tribesmen shout slogans in front of the parliament building during the address of President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad in protest at a military operation in Holy month of Ramadan at the Bajur district. Zardari has told parliament to abolish his wide-ranging powers and warned that Islamabad "will not tolerate" sovereignty violations after a series of cross-border strikes.(AFP/Farooq Naeem)

Possible al-Qaeda attack on Marriot Hotel in Pakistan

A terrorist bombing at the Marriot Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan killed at least 40 people although the final toll is expected to be much higher.

The country appears to be in an extremely precarious situation after the fall of former president Pervez Musharraf, and the onset of U.S. raids across its borders in violation of its national sovereignty.

Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack which has completely destroyed the hotel by fire, experts say the bombing has all the hallmarks of an al-Qaeda operation.

Voice of America

At Least 40 Are Killed in Blast at Pakistan Hotel
New York Times - 38 minutes ago

Flames poured from the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on Saturday after a massive truck bombing. More Photos > By CARLOTTA GALL ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A huge truck bomb exploded at the gateway of the five-star Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on Saturday ...
Video: Dozens killed in Pakistan hotel blast - 20 Sep 08 AlJazeeraEnglish

Explosion at Pakistan Marriott hotel kills 40 The Associated Press

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Dozens die in Pakistan hotel blast
Reuters via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 50 minutes ago

The Marriot Hotel burns after a suspected suicide car-bomb attack in Islamabad in this video grab, September 20, 2008. (AAJ via Reuters TV/Reuters)

Pakistan orders troops to shoot at raiders

Tensions between Pakistan and the U.S. may heat up after Islamabad ordered its troops to fire at troops crossing into its terrritory.

The United States has conducted cross border raids from Afghanistan against insurgent without obtaining permission from the Pakistani government.

Washington has accused Pakistan of not trying hard enough to rid the Taliban and al-Qaeda from its territory.

BBC News

Pakistan Would Fire on Intruders New York Times - 3 hours ago By SALMAN MASOOD and GRAHAM BOWLEY ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The Pakistani military said on Tuesday its troops would fire on foreign forces if they crossed the country’s borders but denied that this was a change of policy. Video: Pakistani Troops Ordered to Fire It US Raids AssociatedPress Pakistan in border warning to US BBC News