Pakistan in talks to open NATO routes

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton told the Pakistani prime minister she hoped their relationship would strengthen as the reopening of supply lines nears.

Negotiations on reopening the NATO supply route for the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan have picked up pace as Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's U.S. ambassador, arrived in Islamabad Monday for talks, The Express Tribune of Pakistan reported.

The route was closed in November after U.S. aircraft mistakenly attacked two Pakistani border outposts killing 24 Pakistani soldiers.

International Security Assistance Force commander Gen. John Allen also met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and army chief Gen. Parvez Kayani to discuss Pakistan's request for a formal apology from the United States over the Salala attacks. A formal announcement of the reopening of supply lines depends on the apology, The Express Tribune reported.

Clinton called Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Sunday to congratulate him on his new position and expressed her hopes the relationship between the two countries would become stronger during his tenure.