The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Islamabad

US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte offered broad support Wednesday for Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf as Washington's key ally faces mounting opposition and Al-Qaeda-linked violence. Negroponte refused to condemn military ruler Musharraf's deportation of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif hours after his return from seven years in exile, saying it was an "internal" mater for Pakistan. He also played down indications that the United States could launch unilateral strikes against militants in Pakistan's tribal areas, saying that US forces would always respect Islamabad's sovereignty. The fresh show of support comes at a valuable time Musharraf, who according to a poll released on the same day is less popular among Pakistanis than Al-Qaeda supremo Osama bin Laden. "We welcome Pakistan's leadership as a voice of moderation and reason in the Islamic world.