The U.S.-Pakistan relationship is facing new strains with massive, violent anti-American protests in several Pakistani cities over an anti-Islam film produced in the United States.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met Friday with Pakistan's foreign minister, who avoided an invitation to explicitly condemn the violence. Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Clinton called on "leaders and responsible people everywhere to stand up and speak out against violence."
Standing beside her, Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar (HEE-na ra-BAN-ee Car) focused her comments entirely on the film, which Muslims believe is blasphemous. She thanked Clinton for speaking out against the video, saying it sent a "strong message" that should help end the violence.
