Washington, Jan 14 : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistani troops were best suited, as compared to the American ones, to combat extremists, particularly Al Qaeda, in the rugged terrain of tribal areas.

The statement comes in the wake of reports that America was trying to carry out unilateral strikes on Pakistan’s tribal areas to combat Al Qaeda.

"Pakistani troops can do better in FATA if the US undertook a unilateral operation inside Pakistan, they would curse the day they came here. I know these areas, and I know American troops. I know our troops. This is not easy," the Daily Times quoted Musharraf as saying in an interview with American magazine Newsweek.

He said Pakistani troops were tougher and could go on roti (bread) and water, while the US troops would need chocolate.

"We are totally in cooperation on the intelligence side," he said. "But we are totally against (a military operation). We will ask for assistance from outsiders. They won’t impose their will on us."

The President also said that tribal agreements did not solve the problem in FATA, but insisted that negotiations must continue. (ANI)