WASHINGTON, June 12: The US State Department has said that it believes President Musharraf will seek re-election from the parliament formed after the forthcoming elections.

The department’s spokesman also hoped that if President Musharraf “continues in political life,” he will “put aside the uniform”.

At the same briefing, spokesman Sean McCormack reminded Islamabad that a free media was “an essential to any functional democracy” even if at times it caused “heartburns”.

The State Department chose to underline its position on various issues confronting the Musharraf government on the day US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher left Washington for Islamabad for crucial talks with Pakistani officials.

Mr McCormack, however, dispelled the impression that Mr Boucher is on a mission to forge a power-sharing arrangement between President Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

“The Pakistani people are more than capable of resolving any political differences they may have, striking any political bargains,” said Mr McCormack when asked if Mr Boucher was mediating between Gen. Musharraf and Ms Bhutto. “They don't need our help to do so.”

The US official chose a question about the current political situation in Pakistan to elucidate Washington’s position on the electoral process for the president.

“There are going to be some important elections coming up in the fall time for a parliament. The parliament will then choose who will be Pakistan's next president,” he said.

“I understand President Musharraf has said in public that he intends to run in that election. It is going to be up to the Pakistani people to choose who will be their next president via the parliamentary elections.”

Then he turned to the uniform issue recalling that Gen Musharraf has already pledged to “put aside” his uniform if he continues in political life.

“And we take him at his word at that and we would expect him to follow through on his commitments,” said the US official.