ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday urged the United States to prevent mistrust caused by isolated diplomatic incidents from spoiling ties between the two nations. Relations between Washington and Islamabad have been strained since police arrested Raymond Davis, a US national who has confessed to killing two men in self-defence on a busy street in Lahore on January 27. Revelations that Davis was a CIA contractor have heaped pressure on Zardaris fragile government and further heightened public mistrust of US actions inside Pakistan. Zardari told visiting US envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman that the two countries should not be swayed by misperceptions and some isolated incidents that may be used by some to increase tensions and mistrust. In an official statement Zardari also urged Pakistan and US to remain focused on the path of pursuing long-term, multifaceted and durable strategic ties. Foreign secretary Salman Basir said last week it was too early to conclude that the incident had inflicted long-term damage on ties between the two countries. But Washington is pushing hard for Davis release, arguing that he has diplomatic immunity and acted in self-defence. Following failed attempts to secure his release the US postponed a round of high-level talks with Afghanistan and Pakistan, and US lawmakers have threatened to cut aid payments to Pakistan unless he is freed. Weakening of relations was not an option for the two countries. We have to find ways and means to find acceptable solutions to all problems, Zardari added in the statement. Grossmans behind-the-scenes approach is widely seen as a departure from that of his hard-charging predecessor Richard Holbrooke, who died of a torn aorta in December. Grossman, a Los Angeles native, served at the US embassy in Pakistan from 1977 to 1979 and rose steadily through the ranks of the US Foreign Service. He assisted Holbrooke in the Dayton peace talks that ended the Bosnian war. Defending Pakistan from accusations by some US officials that it could do more to tackle terrorism, Zardari said no one should question our commitment or intentions. He described Pakistans sacrifices in the war against terrorism as matchless adding it is a long-drawn battle where military means alone cannot achieve complete victory. The president also said his country had an an abiding interest in a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. Marc Grossman also called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the PMs House. Prime Minister said it was imperative that confidence and trust between US-Pakistan was restored and cooperation at military, bilaterally and tripartite level including intelligence sharing was further strengthened. He underlined the need for validation of the utility and efficacy of Pakistan-US partnership by steadfastly continuing with the strategic dialogue. He also underscored the importance that friends must share views candidly to deeper mutual understanding and isolated issues must not be allowed to impact bilateral relations. He said that his govt was fully determined to fight terrorism and the whole nation of Pakistan was behind it in this pursuit. Welcoming the appointment of Ambassador Marce Grossman as the new US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, he paid tributes to Ambassador Richard Holbrookes remarkable contributions for taking US-Pakistan relations to a higher level. Ambassador Marce Grossman while thanking the Prime Minister for his kind words about his predecessor Ambassador Richard Holbrook assured him that he will keep his focus in his new assignment on Pakistan. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said on Monday that all stakeholders need to wait for courts verdict on the issue of US national Raymond Davis, reported a private TV channel. Marc Grossman, US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, called on Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad. PML-N leaders Chaudhry Nisar, Senator Parvez Rasheed, MNA Khawaja Asif and US Ambassador Cameron Munter also attended the meeting. Shahbaz said on the occasion that US should develop mutual respect based relations with Pakistan. He that Raymonds case is in the court and all should wait for the courts verdict while no statements should be given on the issue.