Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf today dismissed the possibility of US forces taking anti-terrorism action on Pakistani soil.
Mr Musharraf's remarks came after statements from US officials suggesting the US military kept open the option of a strike against Taliban and al-Qaeda targets on Pakistani territory.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf
"It is very clear that here on Pakistani territory only Pakistani troops will operate. Nobody should have any doubt on it," he told reporters.
"We are capable to defend in our area. We don't need any other force to help or assist us."
There are growing concerns in Washington that al-Qaeda has become entrenched in a safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areas on the Afghan border.
Mr Musharraf is an important ally in the US-led "war on terrorism", but administration officials and lawmakers say he should do more.
President George W. Bush spoke last weekend of being "troubled" by an al-Qaeda rebuilding of strength in Pakistan. Yesterday, US
congressional sources said negotiators had agreed on legislation that would tie aid to Pakistan to significant progress by Islamabad in cracking down on al-Qaeda.
But Mr Musharraf denied al-Qaeda and Taliban militants were regrouping on Pakistani territory and undertaking cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.