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Cameron 'won't apologise for Pakistan remarks'

August 02, 2010 12:37 IST

British Prime Minister David Cameron will try to moderate Pakistani fury over his 'hostile' remarks linking Pakistan with terrorism after its president Asif Ali Zardari arrives for a visit to Britain on Tuesday.

But Cameron will not apologise for accusing elements within the Pakistani state of 'looking both ways' on terrorism, which as per him was 'unacceptable,' a report in the Independent UK stated.

Cameron made this statement during his recently held tour to India, where he met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries, and even inked crucial defence and economic deals.

Cameron is keen to lower the diplomatic temperature after his comments led to widespread fury in Pakistan, including his effigy being burnt in Islamabad, and a counter terrorism summit in Britain being boycotted by Pakistani intelligence officials in protest.

Even Zardari has defied immense domestic pressure to cancel his five-day visit to Britain in which he will discuss issues ranging from export tariffs to terrorism.

Zardari is expected to make clear his displeasure over his host's remarks in India, as expressed earlier by the Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

On the other hand, Cameron's aides told Independent UK that he did not regret his comments; despite the fury they provoked in Islamabad, and was determined to build on a history of good relations with Pakistan.

The two leaders are due to meet at Chequers on Friday.