Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- The Pakistani government has extended by three years the tenure of the national army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, who has overseen anti-terrorism efforts against the Taliban.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani made the announcement late Thursday in a brief televised address to the nation.
Gilani said Kayani's new tenure will begin in November, the same month he had been scheduled to retire.
Kayani took over as army chief in November 2007, after the retirement of Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who also was serving as president.
CNN
