US to scrap talks with Pakistan in row over diplomat

The United States may scrap upcoming talks with Pakistan about the war in Afghanistan to further pressure Islamabad to free an American accused of shooting dead two Pakistanis, US officials said.

Washington insists that Raymond Davis has diplomatic immunity and killed the men in self-defence as they tried to rob him at gunpoint last month.

Pakistani leaders, facing a groundswell of popular anger over the incident, have as yet avoided making a statement. Mr Davis's next court appearance is set for 11 February.