General Musharraf accuses UK of Afghan 'blunders'

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He said the Taliban could be defeated, but accused Western leaders of pulling out troops because they feared unpopularity.

General Musharraf told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "There is a failure of leadership. Nobody is educating the people who are demanding their soldiers (should) come back that this would be the worst decision. This will be a blunder.

"People here or in the United States think you are fighting someone else's war.

"When the leaders do not tell the masses for political reasons, the mass appeal is to get your soldiers back, but that is not the right think to do."

Asked if he believed the Taliban could be defeated, he replied: "Yes indeed. I think they can be defeated."

Gen Musharraf, who led Pakistan for nine years from 1999 after taking power in a military coup and now lives in London, launches his All Pakistan Muslim League political party today.

He said he intended to return to his country, brushing off speculation that he would face treason charges, although he said he risked assassination.

"There is no charge against me. There are other dangers. I will take the risk but I will take the risk at the right time," he told Today.