A senior Pakistani nuclear scientist has accepted full responsibility for a weapons proliferation scandal and has asked for clemency from President Pervez Musharraf.
Abdul Qadeer Khan was blamed by the Pakistan government for leaking nuclear weapons secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea, and Musharraf is believed to be considering whether to prosecute the scientist, revered at home for developing Pakistan's atomic bomb.
"Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, while accepting full responsibility regarding nuclear proliferation activity, has appealed for clemency from President Pervez Musharraf," state-run Pakistan Television reported after the men met.