Obama to visit Pakistan in 2011

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday he plans to visit Pakistan next year and invited his Pakistani counterpart to visit the United States.

The two countries have been at odds in recent months over U.S. drone strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to rout al-Qaida and Taliban elements from tribal areas.

Obama talked with Pakistani President Asif Zardari by phone. In addition to discussing travel plans, the two agreed both countries need to do more to deal with terrorist groups in Pakistan. They also discussed the U.S. commitment to economic, development and governance priorities in Pakistan, the White House said, noting Obama emphasized the U.S. "commitment and support for democracy and transparency in Pakistan."