In Pakistan, the standoff continues between government forces and Islamist militants at a mosque in the capital Islamabad. At least 21 people have died since the military surrounded the Red Mosque last week in a crackdown on hard-line clerics. Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has come under heavy criticism for relying on military force during the crisis.

Imran Khan, leader of the opposition Justice Party: “To resort to such violence, to use your army against, when you know there are children there, I think it’s despicable. I think it’s an attempt — firstly, it was drawn out. We all suspect that this could have been sorted out immediately. This was drawn out for six months because General Musharraf wants to portray himself as some sort of bastion against extremism so he can get help for his illegitimate regime from the West.”

Khan was speaking at a meeting of Pakistani opposition leaders in London. Some of Musharraf’s opponents fear he’ll use the mosque standoff to postpone presidential elections later this year.