US military chief says can't defeat Al-Qaeda without Pak support

The US military chief has reportedly said that Al-Qaeda cannot be defeated without Pakistan's support.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey emphasized the need to help Pakistan stabilise as instability in this key South Asian state would hurt the entire region, The Dawn reports.

Dempsey said that the strategic and national security goals remain to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaeda and to prevent the return of safe havens in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He further stressed on the continued cooperation of US with Pakistan and said that US has interest in a stable Pakistan and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology.

According to the report, Dempsey said that US' security assistance programmes, are essential for effective military cooperation between the two countries.

He further added that if he is reconfirmed for the same post, he would continue 'a frank and respectful dialogue' with Pakistan about 'their shared interests' in countering extremism and promoting regional stability, the report added.