BRUSSELS: Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed on Monday Pakistan’s offensive against Taliban in South Waziristan, saying it was crucial for regional stability.

Mr Rasmussen expressed his ‘appreciation of the increased efforts by the Pakistani military and the Pakistani government in the fight against terrorists in the border regions’.

‘We really appreciate that very much. It is crucial for stability in the whole region that the Pakistani government and military succeed in their endeavours,’ he told reporters at Nato headquarters here.

He said that Nato-led troops in Afghanistan, who are fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda militants, would be able to deal with any fighters who crossed the border.

The International Security Assistance Force, he said, ‘will take sufficient measures to deal with a possible influx of Taliban fighters.’