U.S. commander meets Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- A top U.S. commander reportedly has told embattled Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf an emergency rule order would risk U.S. support to his military.

Admiral William J. Fallon, who arrived in Pakistan as the country is engulfed in a rising tide of Islamist violence, met the military ruler and his top generals Friday, The New York Times reported.

Fallon’s visit comes at a time when Pakistan's Supreme Court is set to rule on the constitutionality of Musharraf’s re-election last month to a second term while remaining the military chief. Some reports have said Musharraf may impose emergency rule if the decision goes against him.

Much of the $10 billion assistance the United States has given Pakistan since Sept. 11, 2001 has been in military aid to fight terrorism, the Times reported, adding Fallon’s message was that an emergency rule would make it difficult to convince the U.S. Congress to continue this support.

Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said parliament elections should proceed as the “United States would not be supportive of extra-constitutional means,” the report said.

The report said the Musharraf government may seek to justify emergency rule by citing the numerous clashes between Islamic militants and security forces.