US declares Haqqani network a terrorist body

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the US will press on with military and diplomatic pressure against the Haqqani network now that it has declared the Pakistan-based insurgents as terrorists.

Clinton says in a statement that she notified Congress today of her intent to designate the Haqqanis a foreign terrorist organization. Congress had set Sunday as the deadline for her to decision.

And Clinton says the US will continue a "robust campaign of diplomatic, military, and intelligence pressure on the network, demonstrating the United States' resolve to degrade the organization's ability to execute violent attacks."

The move has implications, however, for Afghan peace efforts and could test US-Pakistani ties.

AP