NEW YORK: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said the United States and Pakistan need to deal with the situation that led to a clash between their troops.

On Thursday, Pakistani security forces fired on two Nato helicopters which had intruded into Pakistan territory, forcing them to return to Afghanistan.

“There’s a very strong view that this is a problem that has got to be dealt with,” Ms Rice told reporters in New York. “And we’re going to work very closely with this democratically elected government of Pakistan.”

Ms Rice said the United States had advocated and worked for democratic elections in Pakistan. The United States also wanted to help Pakistan with its social progress and with its economy.

Ms Rice, who met President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday, said she had a very strong sense that the Pakistani leader was committed to the fight against militants.

She recalled that Mr Zardari lost his wife and Pakistan lost a great leader in Benazir Bhutto in the fight against terror.

“We talked about how we might assist Pakistan in doing what it needs to do,” said Ms Rice of her meeting with Mr Zardari. “But I think there’s a very strong commitment. And after all, it’s the same enemy.”