Pakistan nuclear arsenal protected

LONDON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Britain and the United States reportedly have been assured there is little risk of militants gaining control of Pakistan's nuclear weapons.

The issue was discussed between British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and U.S. President George W. Bush in light of the current political situation and growing militant violence in Pakistan, Britain's Independent reported.

The report said U.S defense and intelligence services are believed to have a secret "contingency" plan for any eventuality involving Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

Brown has been assured military forces in Pakistan remain firmly in control and there is no present risk of the weapons falling into the hands of extremists, the report said.

"The military is the most functional part of the regime," one senior official was quoted as saying. "No one is suggesting there is any particular concern."

Neither Britain nor the United States has any new intelligence or evidence of any threats or change in the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, the report said.

Pakistan is believed to possess enough highly enriched uranium for about 50 nuclear weapons or warheads, the report said.