US President Barack Obama says that he feels confident that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal will remain out of militant hands.

Mindful of the criticism that the US was trying to decide for Pakistan what was or was not in its interest, President Obama said, "We want to respect their sovereignty, but we also recognize that we have huge strategic interests, huge national security interests in making sure that Pakistan is stable and that you don't end up having a nuclear-armed militant state."

Obama was talking at his third prime-time news conference since assuming office 100 days ago.

According to The Times of India, a reporter insisted on a more precise reply, asking if in the worst case scenario, the US military could secure the nuclear weapons. Obama responded, "I'm not going to engage in hypotheticals of that sort. I feel confident that nuclear arsenal will remain out of militant hands. Okay?"

Pakistan is under strong pressure from Washington to use regular troops rather than it's paramilitary in its battle against the Taliban, but Islamabad is said to be desisting, holding out for greater military aid and equipment from the US to carry out the task.

Obama also pointed out that Pakistan has only belatedly come to the conclusion that their half-century-long preoccupation with India had blinded them to the more immediate threat posed by the Taliban.

FTP/SME/MMA