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Summary
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari may face challenges but the United States does not believe civilian rule is threatened in the nuclear-armed country, General David Petraeus, head of US Central Command has said. There clearly are challenges, potential challenges, to President Zardari, but again I don't see the prospect or the desire for anyone to change civilian rule, said Petraeus. I actually don't think the current challenges imperil civilian rule, he said. It appears, Petraeus said, that the U.S. desire for continued democratic rule in Pakistan has Pakistani uniformed partners: I dont see the prospect or desire for anyone to change civilian rule. Petraeus was talking to media after attending session of Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said that only a democratic government could achieve successes in the war against terrorists. Petraeus praised Pakistan Armys performance in North Waziristan Operation after Swat, adding that Pak Army was doing its best against terrorist. The Obama administration is focussing on developing relationships with institutions rather than individuals, said Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew, speaking at the same hearing with Petraeus.
