US: Karl Rove, President George W. Bush's top political adviser, has been unexpectedly recalled to testify in an investigation into the leaking of the identity of a CIA operative.
Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has told Mr Rove, who has already testified before the grand jury investigating the 2003 leaking of Valerie Plame's identity as a CIA operative, that there is no guarantee that he will not be indicted if the investigation leads to charges.
The leak followed an accusation by Ms Plame's husband, former ambassador James Wilson, that the White House exaggerated Iraq's nuclear capabilities to build the case for war.
Some lawyers interpreted the prosecutor's warning to Mr Rove as a sign that Mr Fitzgerald is close to formulating charges in connection with the case. But Mr Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin, said that his client was co-operating voluntarily and had not been told he was a target for prosecution.
"I can say categorically that Karl has not received a target letter from the special counsel. The special counsel has confirmed that he has not made any charging decisions in respect to Karl," he said.
The grand jury has questioned journalists about conversations involving Mr Rove and Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice-President Dick Cheney's chief of staff.
New York Times reporter Judith Miller spent 85 days in jail for refusing to identify Mr Libby as a source. She was freed last month after Mr Libby released her from a pledge of confidentiality.
Mr Fitzgerald is expected to complete his investigation this month into who was responsible for the leak and whether any laws were violated in the process.