Bush to meet Pakistan's Zardari Tuesday in New York

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush will meet new Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in New York on Tuesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the White House said on Thursday.

"The two leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the bilateral relationship and build a long term partnership based on common values," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. They will focus on cooperation in fighting terrorism, strengthening the economy and promoting democracy, she said.

Tensions have flared recently between Pakistan and the United States over suspected U.S. airstrikes in Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan where Taliban and al Qaeda fighters are suspected of hiding.

(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by David Alexander)