Pakistan's Musharraf scraps Olympic visit amid ouster talks

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

ISLAMABAD (AFP) — President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday abruptly cancelled plans to attend the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, as Pakistan's coalition government held talks on his possible impeachment.

The US-backed leader scrapped the trip ahead of a second day of crucial meetings between the leaders of the fragile coalition, which trounced Musharraf's allies in elections in February.

"The Chinese government has been informed that the president will not be able to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told AFP.

"I cannot immediately tell you the reason for it," Sadiq said, adding that a state media report quoting him as saying that the decision was "due to developments at home" was...