Musharraf became a key U.S. ally after the Sept. 11 terror attacks and joined the United States in fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda. He became the target of repeated assassination attempts — but he says he acted for the good of his country — not for U.S. benefit.
“It was not for United States alone ... it was for Pakistan," he said during a wide-ranging interview with FOX News' Amy Kellogg in London.
"[W]e are a progressive, moderate people, so it was very clear that we cannot accept" the Talibanization of his country, he said, calling it an easy decision to turn his military's sights on the militants.
"They were roaming around our cities and causing terrorist attacks in our cities and all over, and we had to eliminate that."
Musharraf said that Al Qaeda has been significantly diminished in Pakistan, but the Taliban is thriving.
Yet he believes that the unmanned aircraft the U.S. uses to target key militants in Pakistan should be handed over to his country.
Source: FoxNews