Influential cleric arrested in Pakistan

Police arrested an influential pro-Taleban cleric yesterday who had brokered a failed peace deal in Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, an indication the Government will no longer negotiate with militants.

Authorities accused Sufi Muhammad, the father-in-law of Swat's notorious Taleban leader Maulana Fazlullah, of encouraging violence and terrorism.

The peace deal in February imposed sharia law in the valley. But it was seen as handing control of the area to the Taleban.

The deal collapsed in April when the Taleban advanced south out of Swat, triggering a military offensive.