PESHAWAR - TALKS between the Pakistan Taleban and the government over the Swat valley have been suspended until the army halts its latest operation against militants, a negotiator said on Monday.

The Pakistan military launched a new offensive against Taleban militants in the north-west of the country on Sunday after coming under US pressure to stop the advance of the extremists in the region.

'Our council of leaders met on Sunday night and decided to suspend peace negotiations with the government in North West Frontier Province,' said a spokesman for a cleric who negotiated a peace deal between the two sides in February. -- AFP