Saudi intelligence chief 'calms Pakistan tension'
The country's government seeks to oust Mr Musharraf from power
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Saturday, 16, Aug 2008 11:48
Saudi Arabia's top intelligence official has reportedly held talks with Pakistan's government on easing the country's political turmoil.
The country's ruling coalition announced on August 7th that it would seek the impeachment of president, Pervez Musharraf.
Local media have reported that top Saudi secret services chief Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz visited the country on Friday to discuss ways to resolve the crisis which has seen the ruling coalition and provincial assemblies call for the president to be forced from office.
The AFP news agency cited an unnamed government official as saying: "Yes, Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz did visit Pakistan on Friday and met senior government officials.
"The main purpose of the visit was to find an amicable solution to the (Musharraf impeachment) issue and that no one should become a laughing stock."
A spokesperson for Pakistan's foreign office said he had no information about any such meeting.
But Pakistan's foreign minister has said President Pervez Musharraf must stand down in the next two days or face impeachment proceedings.
"Musharraf is running out of time", said Shah Mahmood Qureshi, of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) - a major partner in the governing coalition.
Mr Musharraf's office has said he will not resign and will defend himself
Meanwhile local media has reported that the ruling coalition has finalised a list of charges against the president which include violation of the constitution and gross misconduct, and has forwarded it to the federal law minister who will fine tune the language of the document.
Saudi Arabia has played a key role in Pakistani politics in the past. In 1999, it agreed to grant former prime minister Nawaz Sharif exile in the Arab state after then army chief, general Musharraf staged a successful coup against him.
Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, the previously exiled leaders of the PML-N and PPP that form the ruling coalition, are now bringing charges against Mr Musharraf.