Zardari, Gilani discuss Durrani's dismissal

Islamabad, Jan 9 (IANS) Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari held a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday evening during which they discussed the dismissal of Mahmud Ali Durrani as national security advisor, news reports said.

The two met for over an hour at the President's House. They also discussed the appointment of a new national security advisor, Dawn reported.

President Zardari also reportedly said that while Pakistan was carrying out investigations on the Mumbai attacks on its side, India's continual allegations on the country were escalating tensions in the region.

Durrani had earlier defended his open admission that Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist caught during the Mumbai attacks, was a Pakistani national. 'I've committed nothing wrong and had been authorised to issue statements on security issues,' Durrani told IANS but refused to elaborate how he came to know about Kasab's identity.

Earlier, President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani held a joint meeting with US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson in which several issues of national and regional significance were discussed, including the Pakistan-India tension, Ajmal Kasab and the national security adviser's dismissal.