ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz kept his cool when the Senate opposition on Saturday accused him of supporting President General Musharraf's bid to retain the post of Chief of the Army Staff beyond December 31.

The prime minister watched the proceedings calmly and remained unmoved by the opposition outburst against him.

Chairman Senate Muhammadmian Soomro tried to control the uproar and repeatedly asked the senators from the opposition benches to let the business of the day proceed. However, his entreaties cut no ice with them.

"Let the prime minister stand up and explain the position of his government," said parliamentary leader of the Democratic Alliance in the Senate, Raza Rabbani, while other senators from the opposition were standing.

Senator Dr Safdar Abassi of the People's Party Parliamentarians said the prime minister was present in the House and he should be asked to explain why he was inciting the president and the COAS to keep the uniform.

With the prime minister refusing the bait it was left to the Leader of the House in the Senate, Wasim Sajjad, and Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan to press for continuing the business.

Amidst the opposition's uproar, Senator Wasim Sajjad said: "I remind the members to abide by the oath and rules of business."

On the directions of the chairman to proceed with the agenda, Senator Wasim Sajjad asked the chairman to suspend the question hour which was done away with through a majority voice vote.

On this, the opposition staged a token walkout. However, the opposition senators came back to the House when Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri moved the bill for export control on nuclear and biological weapons.

The prime minister later left the House when the bill was moved.

Earlier, when the proceedings started, Senator Raza Rabbani pointed out that the House was scheduled to meet at 10 am but its proceedings were delayed till 11:15 am. He said it was unfortunate that the House was held hostage by the ruling coalition.

It was learnt that the proceedings started late as the ruling party and its coalition partners were trying to complete the required majority in the House to approve the nuclear export control bill.

A press release issued by the Press Information Department said the prime minister addressed the parliamentary party meeting of the PML and its allies.

The prime minister, according to the press release, said the Senate symbolised the unity of the federation and was responsible for looking after the interest of all the federating units.

The press release said Prime Minister Aziz told the meeting that during his brief stint as senator, he tried his best to contribute effectively and substantially towards the proceedings of the Senate.

The prime minister told the meeting that he looked forward to working in close coordination with the Upper House in his new capacity.