September 13, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 12, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that under the new democratic leadership all elements of national power will defend the country’s territorial integrity with full support of the people.

He was presiding over the two-day Corps Commanders conference at the General Headquarters which concluded on Friday. A brief statement issued by the ISPR quoted the COAS as saying that there was complete unanimity of views between the government and the army on defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The participants were given a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing geo-strategic environment and recent strategic engagements with major stakeholders regarding peace and security in the region and beyond.

The conference was held against the backdrop of a changing US strategy in the region and US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen’s remarks indicating possibility of more air strikes inside Pakistan.

However, ISPR director general Maj-Gen Athar Abbas termed it a regular conference.

According to sources, the commanders fully endorsed the views expressed by the army chief about the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and said that no foreign incursions would be tolerated in future.