U.S. denies it was asked to leave Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Officials at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad denied suggestions it received a letter from the government asking its staff to leave the country.

Officials at the U.S. Embassy were quoted by the Associated Press of Pakistan as saying reports of receiving a letter from the Pakistani government were "untrue."

U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, however, was reportedly cutting a vacation short to deal with an apparent breakdown in bilateral affairs.

Relations between the United States and Pakistan have been strained since May 2 when U.S. forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in a raid on his compound deep inside Pakistan. The U.S. government has suspended $800 million in military assistance after Pakistan sent back U.S. military trainers.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was quoted by Dawn newspaper as saying any cuts in U.S. assistance to his country would send "a negative signal" to the Pakistani people about Washington's commitment to Pakistan.

Washington has said it would consider linking future security assistance to Pakistan meeting counter-terrorism objectives.

Terrorist activity, as well as severe restrictions on official movement in Pakistan, is behind a travel warning issued by the U.S. State Department in early August.