Islamabad: Stepping up opposition to embattled Pervez Musharraf, former Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif today told the US that his Presidency was "unconstitutional and illegal".

Sharif, whose PML-N party is a key constituent of the PPP-led new coalition government, met visiting US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher here and told them that Musharraf was an "unconstitutional and illegal" President.

The former Premier, who was toppled by Musharraf in a bloodless military coup in 1999, said people have given a clear verdict against Musharraf in the February 18 general election in which the President's ally PML-Q was routed by PPP and PML-N.

Sharif also renewed his call for the President to step down. "I will again advice Musharraf to accept people's mandate and step down from his post," he told reporters after his meeting with Negroponte and Boucher.

"The good of Pakistan democracy and the people lies in Musharraf not becoming a burden on the new Parliament. The new assembly should be given a chance to elect a new President." 
Source : PTI