US rules out military coup in Pakistan

Washington, Mar 13 (ANI): Extremely concerned by the political crisis in Pakistan, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Michael Mullen, believes that there is no probability of military coup in that country as Pervez Musharraf did in October 1999.

In an interview with PBS's Charlie Rose, Admiral Mullen said he doesn't believe there is a "high probability right now" of the crisis prompting Pakistan's military to intervene.

He said his Pakistani counterpart, General Ashfaq Kayani, is "committed to a civilian government" and doesn't want to take over as his predecessor Musharraf did in 1999.

Mullen said General Kayani is stanch supporter of democracy and does not want a military coup in the country.

The situation "continues to deteriorate very, very slowly under a political leadership which is very challenged because of the totality of the crisis," Mullen said.

President Asif Ali Zardari is trying to overcome the protests by the main opposition party and lawyers, demanding that he reinstate judges sacked by Musharraf in 2007. (ANI)