Pakistan shuns action against Iraq

Musharraf: "We have too much on our hands here."

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan will not join the United States in any military action against Iraq and its leader Saddam Hussein, the country's president, General Pervez Musharraf has said.

"I think it [an attack] certainly will have an adverse effect on the Islamic world and also in the other parts," the leader told CNN's Christiane Amanpour in an interview.

The United States has made no secret of its desire for "regime change" in Iraq but so far military action to achieve that goal has failed to attract international support and there is also some domestic dissent.

Iraq was one of three countries named by President George W. Bush as an "axis of evil" and Washington has accused Baghdad of amassing biological and chemical weapons and of trying to acquire nuclear arms.

In Europe there is widespread concern at military action with some of the most influential capitals advising Washington to press for the return of weapons inspectors to Iraq before considering any military campaign.

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Iraq's neighbors, including some key allies from the Gulf War, are also reluctant to take part in a new campaign.

Many would prefer to see Washington concentrate its efforts on solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Now Pakistan, whose support for the U.S.-led war on terror and the military strikes in Afghanistan was vital, has ruled out taking part in action further afield.

Musharraf said: "We have too much on our hands here internally and regionally. We wouldn't like to get involved anywhere outside. I wouldn't like to get involved at all."

He added: "I don't think there is full support for it, even in the European Union and in the other big powers -- like Russia and China being against it."

In addition, the Pakistani general said that since his country has no geographic ties to Iraq, the issue is less pressing for him.

Musharraf said he would maintain his stance even if Bush asked him to join a coalition, because he does not support attacking another Muslim country -- in addition to Afghanistan -- and harming civilians.

Because of Pakistan's support for the U.S. war on terror in Afghanistan and its search for fugitive Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, including Osama bin Laden, some critics call Musharraf "Busharraf," Amanpour noted.

But Musharraf replied: "We've done everything in our national interest."

Musharraf said Pakistan is continuing its participation in the fight against global terrorism, and is still searching for bin Laden, who some believe crosses back and forth along the rugged border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Musharraf said he does not know whether bin Laden is dead or alive.

He discussed the rise in militancy in Pakistan, by separatists who oppose Indian-administered Kashmir and citizens who oppose the Pakistan-U.S. partnership to change Afghanistan.

Musharraf said he is convinced that the forces of law and order will win.

-- CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour contributed to this report