U.S. official: Pakistan says U.S. can meet Osama wives

WASHINGTON - A U.S. official says Pakistan has informed the U.S. that it will grant access to Osama bin Laden's wives, a key request by the White House.

Despite simmering relations between the two countries over the unannounced raid by Navy SEALs on Pakistani soil, the official said the U.S. expects to have access to bin Laden's three wives soon.

The White House said Monday that it was very interested in interviewing the women, who could provide information about bin Laden's life in hiding.

The women have been in Pakistani custody since the SEALs helicoptered away from the compound with bin Laden's body.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions between the two countries.

There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan in the pre-dawn hours in Islamabad.