WASHINGTON, March 8: The United States is “anxiously watching” to see how the new political government in Pakistan will deal with the situation in tribal areas, says a top Pentagon official.

Admiral William Fallon, commander of the US Central Command, also said that despite political changes in Islamabad, Washington would like to maintain its close ties with the Pakistani defence establishment.

At a recent hearing at the US House Armed Services Committee, Admiral Fallon said the United States was ready to extend all assistance to the Pakistani Military to make it “more effective and more competent”.