ISLA MABAD - Foreign diplomats privy to developments relating to Raymond Davis believe that a deal had been brokered by the top military commanders of Pakistan and the US when they met in Muscat on February 23. They were of the view that it had become imperative for the military leadership of the two countries to reach an understanding since relations between the US CIA and ISI had deteriorated in December 2010, and this had led to serious operational problems for the key allies to focus on the ongoing war against terror. Since February 23, Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf Arab countries were tasked to help resolve the Raymond Davis issue, a senior European diplomat requesting not to be named told The Nation at the National Day Reception of Republic of Lithuania. He was of the view that that since contentious issues between the CIA and ISI have been resolved amicably, therefore, the issue of Raymond Davis has also been resolved. However, well-placed military sources while rejecting these notions maintained that Raymond Davis never figured out in the meeting between the top military commanders of the two countries held in Muscat. They believed that the two sides would have discussed the strained CIA-ISI relations but not the Raymond Davis episode. Several retired Pakistani diplomats blamed the political leadership of the country saying both the ruling PPP and PML-N were on board to help resolve the issue through the court to protect their skins. They pointed out that President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Rehman Malik from the day one wanted to get Raymond Davis released and had assured the Americans to wait for the court to handle the case. They were of the view that issue of blood money was agreed between the two countries as the lone 'way forward during the visit of Senator John Kerry on February 15 that led to crucial meeting between the top military leadership of the US-Pakistan to sort issues relating to CIA-ISI stand off. The natty gritty of the deal seeking acquittal of Raymond Davis was left to the political leadership as well as diplomats, a senior Pakistani diplomat commented on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, it was learnt that US Ambassador Munter had also accompanied Raymond Davis to Bagram Air Base, Kabul from where they would fly to the United States