The United States said on Thursday that a move by ruling coalition to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, a close US ally, was an "internal" matter for the Pakistanis to decide. "We have consistently said the internal politics of Pakistan is an issue for the Pakistani people to decide," said State Department spokesman Gonzago Gallegos.

"Our expectation is that any action will be consistent with the rule of law and the Pakistani constitution," Gallegos said. "It is the responsibility of Pakistani leaders to decide on a way forward to succeed as a modern and democratic country."

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2008