ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has expressed the hope that peace and stability will be maintained in the region.

Addressing a corps commanders conference at the General Headquarters on Thursday, he said that the army stood for peace and security. Gen Kayani also said that he was satisfied with the operational preparedness and training of the army.

The conference was held against the backdrop of allegations levelled by India during and after the Mumbai terror attacks and its threat to pull out of the peace process.

While in their conferences held in the recent past, the commanders concentrated on the war on terror their discussion on Thursday focussed on the situation arising out of the statements emanating from New Delhi.

The Army Chief held a meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice before the commanders’ conference. A day earlier, he had met Chief of the US Joint Chief of Staff General Michael Mullen.

The corps commanders are reported to have said that while Pakistan wanted peace with all its neighbours, including India, the desire for peace must not be taken as a sign of weakness.

Regretting the allegations levelled by India, the meeting noted that the Indians had started blaming Pakistan even when the shots were still being fired and nobody had been arrested.

It said that the blame game would not serve any purpose and the two countries should work together to fight the menace of terrorism.

The conference was given a comprehensive briefing on security environment.