Musharraf Opposition Seek to Build Alliance

Parties of Bhutto, Sharif look to each other, smaller partners
By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 20, 2008 2:09 PM CST
Musharraf Opposition Seek to Build Alliance
In this photo released by Press Information Department, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf casts his vote at a polling station in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Musharraf promised Monday to work with the new government regardless of which party wins the parliamentary elections. (AP...   (Associated Press)

The party of fallen Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto is moving toward an alliance with longtime rival Nawaz Sharif after a strong showing in Monday's parliamentary election, Reuters reports. A coalition of the two parties, along with smaller independents, could control enough of the legislature to oust President Pervez Musharraf, a mutual foe, but bad blood could yet sink the deal.

Musharraf, whose recent unpopularity doomed his allies to grave losses, is already looking for a place in Pakistan's new politics. Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party has rejected advances from Musharraf's camp, but may have to compromise if negotiations with Sharif’s Muslim League falter. The US applauded the mostly peaceful elections, and urged any new government to work with longtime ally Musharraf. (More Pakistan stories.)

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