The United States has said it does not expect Pakistan to allow its forces enter that country to take on Al Qaeda [Images] militants hiding in the tribal areas.

"I don't expect that to happen. The relationship we have at present is a good one. We have been able to collaborate closely together on a wide range of operations. We'll be able to continue doing that," Vice-President Cheney told CNN when queried as to when the US has been asked to come in.

"We work closely with President Musharraf and his government in Pakistan. We've captured and killed a lot of Al Qaeda militants in Pakistan. But it's obviously a sovereign state. They've got reason to go after Al Qaeda," he said.

Meanwhile, White House spokesman Tony Snow said the US continues to support Pakistan despite controversy involving the clandestine network of A Q Khan.

"I don't want to try to fake an answer on what's going on with the A Q Khan network. It is important that he has been apprehended. Again, we continue to support the government of Pakistan," Snow said in his briefing.

"And what we have seen is that there has been a real commitment, especially going into the tribal areas and trying to take care of the trouble spots, Al Qaeda and Taliban, and to go after them. And that is something that is absolutely critical. And we'll continue to support them in doing it," he added.