NEW YORK, Dec 28: President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to visit the United States in the second week of January to pay homage to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke who passed away on Dec 13.

The memorial service is scheduled for January 12 in Washington where Mr Holbrooke will be buried.

“Pakistan has lost a friend. He was an accomplished and experienced diplomat who quickly gained the confidence of his interlocutors,” Mr Zardari has been quoted as saying.

He described Holbrooke as a personal friend of himself and of his late wife, Benazir Bhutto.

“The best tribute to him is to reiterate our resolve to root out extremism and usher in peace,” Mr Zardari said.