Gilani offers olive branch to armed forces calling them "pillar of nation's strength"

Islamabad, Jan 15 (ANI): In an attempt to appease the military amid the ongoing tension in the country over the Memo Gate scandal, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that his government fully supports the armed forces.

Ahead of a crucial vote of confidence in parliament on Monday, Gilani said: "Our government and parliament, and above all our patriotic people, have stood fully behind our brave armed forces and security personnel."

"It has been my government's policy to allow and enable all state institutions to play their role in their respective domains," The BBC quoted him, as saying.

Last month Gilani said conspirators were plotting to bring down his government, without specifically blaming the military.

However, he seems to have had a change of heart over the army's role now, because he went on to describe the armed forces as "a pillar of the nation's resilience and strength".

Hours earlier, Gilani repoertedly held talks with army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. It was the first face-to-face talks between the two since tensions erupted in public earlier this week.

Pakistan has suffered three military coups since independence in 1947. (ANI)