US lawmakers said Tuesday that they told Pakistani leaders on a visit that Congress would consider cutting aid unless an American accused of murder is freed. Representative Buck McKeon, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said he mentioned to Pakistani leaders that Congress was working on the budget.

Asked if aid could be at risk, McKeon told reporters, "It very well could be." Representative John Kline said there "would be a lot of support" for cutting aid if the American, who the United States insists has diplomatic immunity, is not freed. Identified by Pakistani police as Raymond Davis, the American was arrested on January 27 after shooting dead two Pakistani motorcyclists.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2011