ISLAMABAD - As anger mounts in official circles over Ambassador Haqqanis questionable role in the drafting of the KLB, it has been learnt from reliable inside sources that Prsident Zardari has risen to his ambassadors defence. This has prevented his immediate removal despite many powerful organisations of the state demanding his recall immediately. Credible rumours tell of an alert being sent to Dr Maleeha Lodhi to be on standby as Haqqanis replacement. Dr Lodhis record in previous ambassadorial stints in Washington and London has generally been positively recognised in Pakistan. However, what was almost a certainty on Friday night seems to have been postponed but only temporarily as part of a compromise between the Establishment and the Presidency. This, according to knowledgeable sources, will allow Haqqani a face-saving exit in the form of a resignation within a few weeks. Apparently, hard evidence relating to Haqqanis efforts to have the clauses targeting the Pakistan army included in the KLB were provided to the civilian leadership. This, along with earlier question marks relating to the Ambassadors actions, such as the revelation of the confidential letter, on an Indian television channel, to the ISI Chief and the Foreign Secretary; and the granting of visas at ambassadorial discretion to a host of Americans, some of whom had earlier been deported, has made it difficult for the Ambassador to retain the trust of most of the state decision makers - beyond the President. Interestingly, according to inside sources, Ambassador Haqqani was promised a lucrative office in Islamabad in mid 2008 if he would give up the ambassadorial position and return to the country. However, some of his friends in the Capital had warned him that he was being lured into a trap and should stay away from Pakistan. The likelihood now is that Mr Haqqani would remain in Washington even after his resignation as his removal has only temporarily been postponed.