US no to UN probe in Benazir assassination

"In the last three months, there have been 19 suicide bombings, most of them against the military, against the intelligence," he said.
"If the same military and same intelligence is using the same people who are attacking them, it's a joke," he added.

The US has said that there is no need for a UN probe into the assassination of former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto as Britain's Scotland Yard has agreed to lead the inquiry.

"Scotland Yard leading the probe is appropriate and necessary, and we don't see a need for an investigation beyond that at this time... The Pakistanis have just made a decision to ask Scotland Yard to get involved. We welcome that. They have expertise in the area of investigations of this sort," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Benazir Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari, on Sunday, had demanded for a UN probe into her assassination after the Pakistan government made contradicting versions of how the former premier was murdered.

While terming the involvement of Scotland Yard as a "positive" step, Washington said it is ready to provide any assistance if asked.

"We stand ready to assist, if we are requested to do so. If we can provide technical assistance. And it's within the competence and scope of the investigation to go through all facts and determine who's responsible for this assassination," State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said.

"And what's most important is that they proceed quickly and in a transparent and comprehensive way, so that the people of Pakistan can get the answers they deserve," Perino said.

However, the officials refused to comment over claims made by Pakistani government over how Bhutto was murdered and said it will not draw any conclusions immediately.