Kayani in a 'tight spot': Mullen

Lahore,Mar.14 (ANI): The US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Admiral Michael Mullen has rebuked the notion that Pakistan is headed for another bout of military rule, but accepted that the Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani is in a 'tight spot' amidst the on-going political pandemonium in the country.

Mullen said that he had talks with the Pak army chief several times in the recent past, and Kayani has assured him that he is committed to a civilian government in the country.

Mullen, however, said that if the political brickbating continues for long then it can provoke the army to intervene in the issue.

"He wants to do the right thing for Pakistan. But he is in a very tough spot. There is not a high probability right now, but the political crisis could provoke Pakistani military to intervene," The Daily Times quoted Mullen, as saying.

Mullen added that Washington is closely monitoring the developments in Pakistan.and is extremely concerned by it.

"The situation continues to deteriorate, very slowly under a political leadership because of the totality of the crisis," he added.

Mullen also expressed fears that the on-going political crisis in Pakistan may see militants initiating some big operation in future.

"Pakistan is a country with nuclear weapons. It's 165 million people and should we move to a point where somehow there is a theocratic government there with nuclear weapons, that's something that keeps me up," he said. (ANI)