White House congratulates new Pakistani PM
'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Desk

WASHINGTON (US): The White House Monday congratulated the new Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani as the United States looked forward to close cooperation with the new government in wide-ranging areas.

“This morning we expressed our congratulations to the new prime minister and we look forward to working with the new government in Pakistan, we had good relations with them over the past, we hope that continues in lots of different areas we can cooperate, not just counterterrorism but across the board,” White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

The Press Secretary told the daily briefing that the United States is “hopeful that the transition is very peaceful” in the South Asian country.

The National Assembly Monday voted 264-42 to elect Gilani of the largest Pakistan Peoples Party as Leader of the Lower House of the Parliament that emerged from February 18 polls.

He will be sworn in as head of the new coalition government on Tuesday.●