The United States on Wednesday refused to endorse but did not criticise a peace deal between Pakistan and pro-Taliban militants in North Waziristan near the Pak-Afghan border. Pushed for a US response to the accord, White House spokesman Tony Snow replied: "We've been apprised of it" and added that "it does not provide great concern."Pakistan has assured the United States that "the ceasefire is, in fact, not going to diminish efforts to apprehend Osama bin Laden or bring him to justice," or open the border to Al Qaeda terrorists, said Snow. The peace deal aims to end years of violence in North Waziristan. "It is part of the (Pakistani) government's efforts to eliminate extremism in border areas by addressing root causes through security, political and economic development," Snow said.