Radical cleric snaps talks in Swat

MINGORA, Pakistan: A radical cleric, acting as the Taliban's go-between in Pakistan's restive Swat valley, broke off talks with the government yesterday after a military offensive began in a neighboring northwest region.

Pakistan launched an offensive against Taliban fighters in the northwest region of Lower Dir after being attacked by militants. Several thousand people began fleeing the area, a day after security forces swung into action after the militants' ambush.

Lower Dir and Swat are part of the Malakand division where Zardari reluctantly sanctioned the imposition of Islamic sharia law this month after a peace deal with radical cleric, Sufi Mohammad, aimed at ending militant violence.