The Obama administration says it hopes Pakistan will resolve a
deepening political crisis in a way that strengthens the civilian
government.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is acknowledging "a lot of concerns" about instability in Pakistan.
She
said the U.S. stands "strongly in favor of a democratically elected
civilian government." But she said Pakistanis themselves must resolve
their issues in a legal and transparent way.
Pakistan's president
left Thursday on a one-day trip abroad, amid widening speculation over
the army's intentions. Pakistan's prime minister fired the defense
secretary Wednesday.
Clinton said she conveyed U.S. positions on Wednesday, when she welcomed Pakistan's new ambassador. AP
