Musharraf warns against US 'invaders'

President Pervez Musharraf warned today that US troops would be regarded as invaders if they crossed into Pakistan to hunt al-Qaeda militants.

Gen Musharraf also said he would resign if opposition parties tried to impeach him after next month's elections.

Mr Musharraf's remarks came as police investigated a suicide attack a day earlier in the eastern city of Lahore that killed 24 people, adding to pressures on the former general as he struggles to stay in office eight years after seizing power in military coup.

Pakistan is under growing US pressure to crack down on militants in its tribal regions close to the Afghan border.

The rugged area has long been considered a likely hiding place for al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri, as well as an operating ground for Taliban militants.

The New York Timesreported last week that Washington was considering expanding the authority of the CIA and the military to carry out operations within the tribal regions.

Several US presidential candidates have also hinted they would support unilateral action in the area.

But Mr Musharraf told Singapore's Straits Timesthat US troops would "certainly" be considered invaders if they set foot in the tribal regions.

"If they come without our permission, that's against the sovereignty of Pakistan. I challenge anybody coming into our mountains," he said. "They would regret that day."

The party of murdered opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and the other main opposition grouping are predicted to make gains in the February 18th polls and have vowed to oust Mr Musharraf if they emerge as winners.

AP