US targeting innocent in Fata, says Gilani

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has accused the US of targeting innocent civilians in Pakistani tribal areas, saying that no compromise will be made on country's sovereignty.

Talking to a private TV channel on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said that the country was facing tough times but it would not accept any pressure from outside.

He said that Washington had no reliable information to carry out operations in the Pakistani tribal region.

AFP adds: France warned Tuesday that missile strikes by suspected US drones in Pakistani tribal areas were undermining international efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"Not only are these creating human tragedies but also situations that have counterproductive effects on the political dynamics that we would like to see, and that means a partnership between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the international community," said foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier.

"Anything that creates suffering in the civilian population creates problems in trying to reach an understanding and an acceptance of these populations of the international presence in the region," said the foreign ministry spokesman.

Chevallier did not single out the United States for criticism, but referred to the "bombings that took place in Pakistan and left civilian casualties, in particular in the Pakistani tribal areas on Monday."