The United States has called a move by Pakistan's ruling coalition to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, a close US ally, an 'internal' matter for the Pakistanis to decide.

"We have consistently said the internal politics of Pakistan is an issue for the Pakistani people to decide," said State Department spokesman Gonzago Gallegos.

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"Our expectation is that any action will be consistent with the rule of law and the Pakistani constitution," Gallegos said.

"It is the responsibility of Pakistani leaders to decide on a way forward to succeed as a modern and democratic country."

Allies in the 'war on terror'

The spokesman added that Washington and Islamabad "remain close allies in the war on terror, and will continue our close ties with the democratically elected government of Pakistan."

Pakistan's coalition leaders announced earlier Thursday the decision to seek the impeachment of Musharraf, the former head of Pakistan's military and a key US ally since he seized power in a 1999 coup.

Immediate impeachment

A senior official said the national assembly could begin the impeachment process as early as August 11.

Musharraf ruled nuclear-armed Pakistan relatively untroubled for eight years with the backing of the United States, which has counted him as a key ally since the September 11 Al-Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington.

But his popularity slumped after he ousted the country's chief justice and imposed a state of emergency in November 2007 to prevent any challenges to his re-election as president.

Musharraf stepped down as army chief that month, and opposition parties trounced his allies in general elections in February.
Source: AFP