MPs elected Raja Pervez Ashraf as Pakistan's new prime minister Friday, seeking to end a crisis sparked by judges ousting the premier and demanding the arrest of his would-be successor.
"We are pleased that the leadership issue appears to have been settled," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters.
"We obviously look forward to working with the new prime minister and hope that this will open space to continue to roll up our sleeves and get back on track with all of the things that we want to do with Pakistan."
Ties between Washington and Islamabad have hit an all-time low following a series of events in 2011, including the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a US commando raid on his Pakistani compound.
A botched NATO attack in November in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed led Islamabad to shut down its border crossings into Afghanistan to US supply trucks, hampering the US and NATO effort against the Taliban.
Talks to reopen the crossings -- vital as the US draws down its forces in neighboring Afghanistan -- have so far made little progress.
In his first speech to parliament shortly after his election, Ashraf promised to develop "cordial relations" with the United States.
"We will develop cordial relations with United States and international community on the basis of equal rights and dignity," he said, without mentioning reopening the supply routes.
COMMENTS (6)
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US - needs to bring in some Janitor to talk to this PM - who has rediculed himself in giving bunch of date to end of loadshedding in Pakistan - which never got resolved to date. Dear US, this person doesnt have the capability, capacity and the brain to understand on how to manage multiple yet parallel prioritied task. It is like you will banging your head in some dead horse.
Last but not the least - I wish you best of luck in interacting with this person - hehe
Yes, Pakistan has put its best foot forward.
Well, you got another Gillani to work with.
US with another 'It' on the stage!
US will be thinking Kis gadhay ko PM bana diya ha. they will be laughing at us
How is the leadership issue settled here? SC can petition the new PM to send the same letter to Swiss Bank, which being a dutiful lap poodle he won't. Then SC can bring him and hold him in contempt as well. And the cycle continues of .001% at the misery of 99.999%.