Obama phones Zardari to discuss key issues

President Barack Obama discussed bilateral

 issues with President Zardari during their telephone conversation.

ISLAMABAD US President Barack Obama on Thursday called President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed bilateral relations, situation in the region as well as other matters of mutual interest.During the telephone conversation, President Obama and President Zardari discussed the 'Friends of Democratic Pakistan' (FODP) forum initiative, aimed at promoting and strengthening democracy in Pakistan.President Asif Ali Zardari, who launched the initiative of the FODP in New York in September 2008, will chair the Friends' Ministerial meeting being held in Tokyo on April 17.The two leaders also discussed matters relating to the fight against militancy, with particular reference to peace in the region.The new US Administration under President Obama is working on a new strategy to deal with terrorism and extremism, with focus on a stable, economically strong and democratic Pakistan.