'US unconvinced about Pak not being a terrorist breeding ground'

Lahore, Jan 19 (ANI): Pakistan's former National Security Adviser (NSA) Mahmoud Ali Durrani has said that he could not convince the United States that Pakistan is not a breeding ground for terrorists.

Responding to allegations that he had been too close a 'friend' of India and the US, Durrani said he had only forged stronger relations with the two to work in Pakistan's interest.

He said apart from the US and the United Kingdom, China and several other countries also played an important role in defusing the Indo-Pak tensions after the Mumbai attacks.

Durani did not comment when asked if Pakistan had made preparations to counter US drone attacks in the Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan, the Daily Times reported.

He also said that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto told him during a meeting that he (Durrani) should be the national security adviser.

"That is why President Asif Ali Zardari appointed me to the post, as it was Benazir's will," Durrani added.

Durrani said he had not played any part in the promulgation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance.

He revealed that the US had wished to see former president Pervez Musharraf as president and Benazir as Prime Minister of Pakistan simultaneously.

The former NSA said he had had good relations with the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, but the decision of his removal was "impulsive and made in haste."

He denied that he wanted to become a member of the Senate.

Responding to a question, Durrani said the Prime Minister was not isolated, but he "may have reservations on some issues." (ANI)