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Musharraf foes set to hold talks Musharraf talks 'not conclusive'
(about 6 hours later)
Leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition are to meet in Islamabad to discuss who will succeed their long-time opponent, former President Pervez Musharraf. Leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition have met in Islamabad to discuss who will succeed their long-time opponent, former President Pervez Musharraf.
Mr Musharraf stepped down on Monday after nine years in power to avoid a move by the government to impeach him.Mr Musharraf stepped down on Monday after nine years in power to avoid a move by the government to impeach him.
The coalition, led by the parties of the late Benazir Bhutto and ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, held a first, inconclusive round of talks on Monday.The coalition, led by the parties of the late Benazir Bhutto and ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, held a first, inconclusive round of talks on Monday.
Correspondents say talks on Tuesday also appear to have ended in deadlock.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan says that Mr Sharif and his party walked out of the negotiations without talking to newsmen.
Local channels say this is because there is still disagreement over how to restore judges sacked by Mr Musharraf last year.
Bloodless coup
Mr Musharraf was replaced automatically by caretaker President Muhammad Sumroo.Mr Musharraf was replaced automatically by caretaker President Muhammad Sumroo.
Mr Sumroo, speaker of the Senate and a political ally of Mr Musharraf, will lead the country until a new election is held by parliament.
It is unclear whether Mr Musharraf, who took power in a bloodless coup in 1999, will face prosecution now that he is out of power.
Mutual distrust
On Monday, Mr Sharif, who leads the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), met Asif Ali Zardari, leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of Benazir Bhutto, and other coalition figures.
Mr Musharraf denied being an enemy of democracyMr Musharraf denied being an enemy of democracy
Sources say their talks focused on the nomination of the next president and the restoration of judges deposed by Mr Musharraf. Mr Sumroo, Speaker of the senate and a political ally of Mr Musharraf, will lead the country until a new election is held by parliament.
It is unclear whether Mr Musharraf, who took power in a bloodless coup in 1999, will face prosecution now that he is out of power.
Leaders of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (son of Mr Zardari and late Benazir Bhutto) met other members of the coalition in Islamabad on Tuesday to try and hammer out a deal.
Nawaz Sharif, leader of the second biggest party in the coalition, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) arrived at the Zardari House where he was greeted by Mr Zardari and Bilawal.
The two leaders have still to hammer out a deal
Pakistan's Minister for Law, Farooq Naek, said the coalition parties would make a united decision on the important issues.
But correspondents say that now looks unlikely to happen on Tuesday.
Earlier, Mr Sharif met Mr Zardari and other coalition figures.
Sources say their talks focused on the nomination of the next president and the question of restoring the sacked judges.
The PPP and PML-N distrust each other and have already said different things about Mr Musharraf's future, the BBC's Charles Haviland reports from Islamabad.The PPP and PML-N distrust each other and have already said different things about Mr Musharraf's future, the BBC's Charles Haviland reports from Islamabad.
Mr Zardari's party said it believed he might have immunity from prosecution. Mr Zardari's party said it believed Mr Musharraf might have immunity from prosecution.
But Mr Sharif's party argues he should stand trial for, among other things, abrogating the constitution.But Mr Sharif's party argues he should stand trial for, among other things, abrogating the constitution.
The parties are also likely to differ on whether to reinstate the judges and are thought to have differences of emphasis on how to tackle a violent Islamist insurgency on the Afghan border, our correspondent says. Well known in the West for his support for the US after the 11 September 2001 attacks, President Musharraf had grown increasingly unpopular at home.
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says there is relief in Pakistan that Mr Musharraf is gone but mounting impatience with the political parties that won February's elections.
'Going, Going, Gone!'
Pakistan's newspapers on Tuesday celebrated the exit of former president.
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The headline of The Daily Times was "Going, Going, Gone!", next to a photo of Mr Musharraf, while The News led with "Mush Quits With His Tail Between His Legs".
The country's media also speculated about what he might do next, reporting that he wants to stay in Pakistan, but may soon travel abroad, with Saudi Arabia, the US, the UK and Turkey mentioned as possible destinations.
Mr Musharraf left his official residence in Islamabad for the last time after announcing his resignation in a televised address.
He inspected a last military guard of honour before leaving the palace in a black limousine.
HAVE YOUR SAYI would rather have been ruled by a democratic dictator than despotic democratsMehr, Lahore, Pakistan Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYI would rather have been ruled by a democratic dictator than despotic democratsMehr, Lahore, Pakistan Send us your comments
After nine years in power, Pervez Musharraf had finally run out of options, the BBC's Chris Morris reports from Islamabad. With the government on the verge of impeaching him, the former soldier's instinct was to fight on, correspondents say, but in his lengthy address he said he was stepping down for the good of the nation.
Well known in the West for his support for the US after the 11 September 2001 attacks, he had grown increasingly unpopular at home. Bilawal Bhutto said he hoped the country could move forward after Mr Musharraf's departure.
With the government on the verge of impeaching him, the former soldier's instinct was to fight on, our correspondent says, but in his lengthy address he said he was stepping down for the good of the nation.
It is a landmark moment in Pakistan, our correspondent adds: the former military ruler forced from office by civilian politicians and the army standing by and allowing it to happen.
Mrs Bhutto's son and heir, Bilawal, said he hoped the country could move forward after Mr Musharraf's departure.
"I see that the biggest hurdle in the way of democracy has been removed," he said.
Mrs Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi in December last year.Mrs Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi in December last year.