Bhutto and Musharraf Edge towards Power-Sharing Deal after Secret Talks ; WORLD

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Confronting growing political problems, Pakistan's military leader, General Pervez Musharraf, has held secret talks with his rival Benazir Bhutto in the Middle East to discuss a power-sharing arrangement that could extend his presidency.

Officials said yesterday that Mr Musharraf and Mrs Bhutto, the country's former prime minster, met in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Mrs Bhutto herself acknowledged the talks had taken place, but sought to publicly throw down a gauntlet to Mr Musharraf, saying he must stand down as head of the country's military if a power- sharing arrangement was to go ahead. Confirming the talks, Pakistan's minister for railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, …