Musharraf foes hold talks

Pakistan's coalition leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif are to meet in Islamabad to discuss who will succeed their long-time common enemy, former President Pervez Musharraf who stepped down yesterday after nine years in power to avoid impeachment.

Musharraf bowed to intense pressure to quit after the government threatened to bring charges against him two weeks ago. A caretaker president, Muhammad Sumroo, has been put in charge of the volatile country until a new election is held.

Last night the sound of gunfire and celebrations echoed across Pakistan after Pervez Musharraf, a stalwart US ally in the 'War on Terror', resigned as President, in an emotional televised address to the nation.

It remains unclear whether Musharraf will face prosecution now that he is out of power.