US not thinking of giving asylum to Musharraf: Rice

Washington, August 17 : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Sunday said that United States is not considering granting asylum to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

"That's not an issue on the table, and I just want to keep our focus on what we must do with the democratic government of Pakistan," Rice told a news channel on Sunday in an answer to a question.

She spoke as Pakistan's ruling coalition readied impeachment charges against Musharraf and gave him two days to step down.

When asked if it would be in the interest of Pakistan to have Musharraf resign, Rice said: "This is a matter for the Pakistanis to resolve."

"We have been supportive of democratic elections that took place in Pakistan. In fact, advocated for them," The News quoted Rice as saying.

She further added that the United States had given its support to the new government, citing President George W. Bush's recent meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Rice also called President Musharraf a good ally but added that Washington had disagreed with his decision to declare a state of emergency in Pakistan.

ANI