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Sunday, August 17, 2008
Muqrin to ensure ‘no one becomes laughing stock’
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz is in Pakistan to ensure “an amicable resolution” to the issue of the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf and that “no one should become a laughing stock”, AFP quoted a senior ruling coalition official as saying on Saturday. It did not identify the official. Asked what solution the coalition regarded as acceptable, the official said that “Musharraf should step down” but that it was “really up to Musharraf” if his plans included exile to Saudi Arabia. Presidential Spokesman Rashid Qureshi said on Saturday the president would not step down, but his allies and the coalition leaders say talks are underway to persuade him to resign. Allies of the president have said that he wants to remain in Pakistan if he quits but coalition officials say that it could cause more trouble if he does not go abroad. “Saudi Arabia is a very strong ally of both Pakistan and the US and the visit was a sincere effort to interact with all and sundry to settle the issue,” the official said. Other options include going to Turkey or the US, the official added. daily times monitor/agencies
Courtesy DailyTimes