ISLAMABAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanete) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf brushed aside speculations that the United States had set up secret jails in Pakistan, saying that no accord was executed to establish such jails, Pakistan's Daily Times reported Saturday.

    The report said that Musharraf made the remarks in an interview on Friday with the Saudi newspaper Al-Watan.

    "There is no presence of US soldiers nor any secret jails on our soil. Even not any agreement has been signed to set up secret jails in collaboration with the US in the country," Musharraf said.

    On the war against terrorism, Musharraf said, "Pakistan has won the war by the grace of Almighty Allah. Al Qaeda has been forced to flee the country and it is no longer an organized group because its network has been dismantled."

    He said that Pakistan should not be considered a "soft country," stressing that the country's armed forces were strong and vigilant and equipped to deal with any situation.

    "I have not even a shadow of doubt on patriotism of tribesmen. They are loyal. However presence of foreign militants is posing threats. They could pose serious threat to the national integrity if we could not have taken timely steps against them," Musharraf said.

    He categorically denied that operation in tribal areas was being conducted at the behest of the United States.

    Commenting on the Pakistan-India dialogue on the Kashmir issue, the Pakistani president said, "We want Kashmir problem is settled in line with aspirations of people of Kashmir so that lasting peace is ensured in the region."

    About sending Pakistani troops to Iraq, Musharraf said that Pakistani troops would not be dispatched to Iraq in the prevailing situation, adding that any decision in the future would be made after consulting with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries.

    Regarding relations with Israel, Musharraf said Pakistan was keen for the establishment of the independent state of Palestine. No diplomatic relations would be established with Israel unless it pulled out from the occupied territories of Palestine, he added.

    He urged Israel to bring an end to violence against people of Palestine and help resolve the Palestine issue. Enditem