Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf says his nation is an irreplaceable ally in the war against Islamist terror.

From the BBC story:

If we were not with you, you won't manage anything," said President Pervez Musharraf in a BBC Radio 4 interview.

He said the Taleban, not al-Qaeda, was now the focus of the struggle against militancy in the region.

"The greatest danger today is if the Taleban movement gets converted into a people's movement," he warned.

Earlier this week Tony Blair assured Gen Musharraf a leaked paper condemning Pakistan's intelligence service did not reflect his government's view.

In the leaked report, a naval commander at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed Pakistan's intelligence service, ISI, had indirectly helped the Taleban and al-Qaeda.

In the BBC interview Mr Musharraf rejected these claims and said ISI's support was vital.

"You'll be brought down to your knees if Pakistan doesn't co-operate with you. That is all that I would like to say. Pakistan is the main ally. If we were not with you, you won't manage anything," he said.

"Let that be clear. And if ISI is not with you, you will fail."