PRIME MINISTER Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that drone strikes were against the country`s sovereignty and that he would call upon US President Barack Obama to stop the attacks during their meeting next week.

He was talking to reporters during a short stay in London on his way to Washington, where he is due to meet the US president on Wednesday.

Television channels quoted the prime minister as recalling that during his meeting with Barack Obama on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting last month, he had placed the droneissue at the top of his agenda and also called upon Washington to stop them.

Nawaz Sharif said Islamabad was in favour of restoration of peace in Afghanistan, but did not support any group or party.

Mr Sharif told media at the Lahore airport earlier during the day that he would talk to President Obama about the regional situation, including Afghanistan.

Talking to reporters before boarding his US-bound flight, he said the talks would also cover bilateral trade and investment.

`All institutions are supporting me in the best interest of the country,` Mr Sharif said.

Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid told a private TV channel later that Mr Sharif would convey the nation`s concern on the drone strikes.

On some issues, Mr Rashid added, the US and Pakistan had their own viewpoints, but the two leaders would try to find a middle ground.

AFP adds: A senior US State Department official said drone strikes were `part of a very comprehensive conversation we have on security across the board`.

`One of the things we want to hear about are the Sharif government`s own plans for dealing with their domestic terrorism issues, and what they see as the future of engaging with the Pakistani Taliban, what the status is of potential peace discussions,` the official added.

Mr Sharif is also expected to meet officials from the IMF and the World Bank as well as some private investors as he seeks to make good on election promises to reinvigorate an ailing economy.