Pakistan says time not right for anti-Taliban assault

Pakistan will consider mounting an anti-Taliban offensive in North Waziristan only when other tribal areas are stabilized, a senior military officer said on Tuesday, a position likely to anger ally Washington.

Pakistan has resisted mounting US pressure to launch a major operation in North Waziristan to eliminate the Haqqani Taliban faction, one of the most dangerous forces fighting American troops over the border in Afghanistan. (Reuters)