Pakistan People's Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has categorically said that Yousuf Raza Gilani will be the country's new prime minister for five years and not for three months.

Zardari said that he has already briefed his coalition partners about the reasons, which forced him to nominate Gilani, rather than Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

Zardari said that he himself is not interested in the job, as is being implied. Local daily The News quoted him as saying that Gilani slept in Adiyala jail without any proper bed for three months but he never contacted his powerful friends and influential relatives for help.

He remained loyal to the Pakistan People's Party during his four years in jail. ''We have a lot of respect for him and he was the best available choice for the PPP for the post of prime minister,'' Zardari said.

He further said that Gilani is honest, loyal, intelligent and also a sober man. He is presentable not only to the people of Pakistan but also to the international community.