Senior leaders urge Musharraf to step down

Parliament elected Yousaf Raza Gilani, a loyalist of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, as prime minister last week. On Monday, Musharraf was expected to swear in more than 20 members of the new Cabinet.

In his inaugural speech on Saturday, Gilani delivered a rebuke over Musharraf8217;s military tactics in the lawless tribal belt along the Afghan border where al-Qaida and Taliban militants operate. Gilani said combating terrorism was the government8217;s No. 1 priority, but he also said he was willing to talk to militants who are ready to lay down their arms and 8220;join the path of peace.8221;

Expanding education and development in the impoverished region would be a 8220;key pillar8221; of the government8217;s strategy against the militants, he said. The United States has criticised past efforts to reach out to militants, saying it has allowed hard-liners to tighten their grip along the border.