WASHINGTON, Dec 29: The Bush administration had warned former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, weeks before her assassination, that extremists were trying to kill her, the Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday.

The report, however, claimed that the Pakistani government rebuffed US entreaties for beefed-up security for Ms Bhutto. “The decision to provide intelligence to an opposition candidate in a country headed by a strong American ally reflects US recognition of the gravity of the threat Bhutto faced,” the report said.

The newspaper also noted that Washington backed her effort to reclaim power in Pakistan because it saw her as a stabilising influence in the turbulent country.

Although acknowledging the danger, US officials stopped short of providing direct security services, such as the private contractors they arranged for Afghan President Hamid Karzai and for top leaders in Iraq, the report added.

The intelligence shared with Ms Bhutto was furnished by the US Embassy in Islamabad, a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the paper. Along with information about possible threats to her, the Americans provided security advice on ways her risks could be reduced.

The US official said the Americans were aware that Ms Bhutto faced serious dangers, especially in light of an earlier attempt on her life, a bombing during her homecoming rally in Karachi on Oct 18, in which more than 140 people were killed.

Americans also “reiterated” that the Musharraf government needed to make vigorous attempts to avert dangers to her, the official said.