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Musharraf to attend Beijing Games Musharraf to attend Beijing Games
(18 minutes later)
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics as planned, the foreign ministry has said.Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics as planned, the foreign ministry has said.
A statement made clear he would leave for China on Thursday. Earlier, the foreign ministry said Mr Musharraf had cancelled the trip but gave no reason.A statement made clear he would leave for China on Thursday. Earlier, the foreign ministry said Mr Musharraf had cancelled the trip but gave no reason.
Pakistan's ruling alliance is meeting to discuss his possible impeachment.Pakistan's ruling alliance is meeting to discuss his possible impeachment.
The president's allies were defeated in elections earlier this year. He has so far resisted pressure to quit. The president's allies were defeated in elections in February. He has so far resisted pressure to quit.
China is one of Pakistan's closest allies, and it would have been highly unusual for a Pakistani leader to call off a visit at such short notice.China is one of Pakistan's closest allies, and it would have been highly unusual for a Pakistani leader to call off a visit at such short notice.
The foreign ministry: "In view of our special relations with China, the president has decided to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. The president will now leave for China tomorrow." The foreign ministry said: "In view of our special relations with China, the president has decided to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. The president will now leave for China tomorrow."
Opponents' movesOpponents' moves
Pakistan's governing alliance leaders have been meeting to discuss possible impeachment, as well as the restoration of judges the president sacked during a state of emergency in November. President Musharraf was originally due to leave for China on Wednesday along with the head of the governing Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Zardari, officials said.
The two sides have agreed to draw up a joint charge sheet against the president... and ask him to defend himself before parliament Khwaja Asif, PML-N class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7544979.stm">Q&A: Pakistan's judges It is not clear whether Mr Zardari plans to proceed with the trip. He is holding more consultations with alliance partners.
Leaders of the two main alliance partners - the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) - say they are close to an agreement to impeach Mr Musharraf. The two sides have agreed to draw up a joint charge sheet against the president... and ask him to defend himself before parliament Khwaja Asif, PML-N class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7544979.stm">Q&A: Pakistan's judges The PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) say they are close to an agreement to impeach Mr Musharraf.
Pakistan's governing coalition leaders have been discussing how to restore judges the president sacked during a state of emergency in November.
Talks have so far been inconclusive but alliance leaders said they had reached a broad agreement to dispense with the president.Talks have so far been inconclusive but alliance leaders said they had reached a broad agreement to dispense with the president.
"The two sides have agreed to draw up a joint charge sheet against the president on the basis of available evidence, and ask him to defend himself before the parliament," Khwaja Asif of the PML-N told Geo TV."The two sides have agreed to draw up a joint charge sheet against the president on the basis of available evidence, and ask him to defend himself before the parliament," Khwaja Asif of the PML-N told Geo TV.
PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar told reporters there was a growing feeling among the alliance leaders that Mr Musharraf was "no longer acceptable to the people of Pakistan".PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar told reporters there was a growing feeling among the alliance leaders that Mr Musharraf was "no longer acceptable to the people of Pakistan".
Mr Musharraf's political allies were defeated in February elections, from which the PPP emerged as the largest party in the country. Mr Musharraf's political allies were defeated in February elections, from which the PPP emerged as the largest party.
Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif are meeting on Wednesday Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif met on Wednesday
In second place was the PML-N of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whom President Musharraf ousted in a 1999 coup.In second place was the PML-N of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whom President Musharraf ousted in a 1999 coup.
The two parties formed an alliance in March, but have since been split over the issues of presidential impeachment and the reinstatement of the sacked judges.The two parties formed an alliance in March, but have since been split over the issues of presidential impeachment and the reinstatement of the sacked judges.
The PML-N pulled out of the federal cabinet in May when the PPP refused to move immediately on these issues.The PML-N pulled out of the federal cabinet in May when the PPP refused to move immediately on these issues.
The rift has caused a sense of paralysis in the government, which is under huge US pressure to curb attacks by Taleban and al-Qaeda militants based near the Afghan border.The rift has caused a sense of paralysis in the government, which is under huge US pressure to curb attacks by Taleban and al-Qaeda militants based near the Afghan border.