Pakistan leaders reject US claims

Pakistani politicians have rejected U.S. allegations the military was supporting the Haqqani militant network and have thrown their support behind the country's most powerful institution in its destabilizing standoff with Washington. The claims by Adm. Mike Mullen led to a crisis-like atmosphere in Islamabad, with fears of U.S. military action uppermost in many minds. Prime Minister Reza Yousuf Gilani summoned the country's normally feuding political party leaders to a meeting to discuss the American claims and perceived threats of an offensive, AP reported. They agreed to a vaguely worded resolution late Thursday that called for peace with insurgents in Afghanistan, an apparent rejection of American demands that the Pakistan army attack the Haqqani network. U.S. officials say that group is based on the Pakistan side of the border and is responsible for much of the violence in Afghanistan. It also went on to say the country should seek dialogue with Pakistanis in the tribal regions close to Afghanistan, apparently in reference to militants there battling the Pakistani state. Such a position has long been popular with Islamist parties, whose rhetoric paints the U.S. - not the Taliban and al-Qaida - as the No. 1 enemy facing the country.