Pictures of detainee-abuse could have a 'destabilising effect' on Pak : General Petraeus

Lahore, May 30 (ANI): The US Central Command Chief General David Petraeus has said that publishing images of the abuse of prisoners in US custody could dent Pakistan's efforts to counter extremism.

General Petraeus, in his statement to a court, urged it to keep the photographs under a veil, as they could have a 'destabilising effect' on Pakistan and other US allies in the war against Al Qaeda.

"Photos depicting abuse of detainees in the US military custody in Afghanistan and Iraq would negatively affect the ongoing efforts by Pakistan to counter its internal extremist threat," Petraeus said.

He added that if the pictures are made public, they would likely deal a particularly 'hard blow' to the efforts of the United States in the countries where it is engaged against Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups.

It may also ignite civil unrest in those countries, Petraeus said.

"Militant and extremist groups would use these images to foment anti-US sentiment and to incite demonstrators to conduct deliberate attacks against US targets, as well as western non-government organization facilities and personnel," he said. (ANI)