Washington: Amid the stand off between the army and the civilian leadership in Pakistan, the US on Thursday said that was for political leaders and the military to sort out their differences, but underlined that it was for "strong relationship" with the Pakistani armed forces.
In the face of speculation of a military coup in Pakistan, the US said it had not sought or received any assurances from the army that it would not stage a coup.
"Those matters are for the civilian and military leaders in Pakistan to work out. We on our part continue to want a strong, constructive relationship with the Pakistani military particularly when it comes to operations along that border," Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt John Kirby told reporters.
"Nothing has changed about our view on having a good relationship with that country and a very strong relationship with that the country s military. We are focused on that," he said in response to a question on the heightened tension between its army and the civilian government in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin E Dempsey, has spoken to Pakistani Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
"My understanding is that Chairman Dempsey has been in contact with Gen Kayani. It was a productive and professional conversation. I'm not going to get into the details. But that call has taken place," Little told reporters.
The timing of the call was not divulged, except that it has taken place within recent days.
Pakistan has plunged into fresh turmoil with the powerful army warning Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of "grievous consequences" for his recent criticism of the military and ISI, and the Premier taking them head on by sacking the defence secretary over the memo scandal.
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