LoC is the problem, not solution: Musharraf

"LoC is the problem and can not be a solution," he told mediapersons here late Monday night before leaving for Britain on a four-nation tour. He would later go to the US, Germany and France.

Earlier, Musharraf, in an interview to Geo TV, said Pakistan was willing to talk with India on all issues but at the same time would not sideline Kashmir.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

"There is no doubt that Kashmir is still the core issue between India and Pakistan," he said, but stressed Pakistan and India could make significant headway in their talks to resolve all bilateral issues including the vexed Kashmir issue.

Expressing satisfaction over some "positive statements" made by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on the desire to resolve the Kashmir issue, Musharraf said his visit to US was not linked to the Indian leader's recent trip to the country.

He said during his visit to United States, both sides will hold talks on bilateral matters and regional situation including Kashmir, Afghanistan and Middle East.

Saying that Pakistan had been asked to send its troops for deployment in Iraq, the President said so far no final decision had been taken on the issue.

"Before taking any decision on this issue, Pakistan would look into its modalities, ground realities, financial implications and cover by United Nations and Islamic countries," Musharraf said.

The President said Pakistan is also closely watching other Islamic countries on whether they were sending their troops to Iraq.

Stating that al-Qaeda terror network "had lost its backbone and most of its leadership is arrested except some second or third string leadership," he said "we are operating against them (al-Qaeda). I cannot say with guarantee where they are. In my view they are in small numbers but they are all on the run".