Musharraf has lost credibility, says Obama

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on Wednesday said that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has lost credibility and the United States should build a stronger relationship with the new government in Islamabad.

“We had put all our eggs in the Musharraf basket. President Musharraf has lost credibility with his people. What we need to do is to form an alliance with the Pakistani people, saying that we’re willing to significantly increase aid for humanitarian purposes,” he said.

Obama said instead of relying on Musharraf, the US should engage new Pakistani coalition government to be effective in dealing with the resurgence of al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the region.

“… in order for us to be effective in dealing with the resurgence of al-Qaeda and the Taliban as they use Pakistan — the northwest provinces — as a sanctuary, we’ve got to have a stronger relationship with the Pakistani government — the new Pakistani government,” Obama said on Larry King Live on CNN.