Musharraf spokesman: He hasn't quit

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- A spokesman for Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called rumors of his resignation Friday "totally baseless and malicious."

Musharraf is unwilling to step down unless he is protected from prosecution, the Financial Times reported. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a leader in the country's governing coalition, wants him to be tried.

"We are not in favor of any amnesty for Musharraf," said Siddique-ul-Farooq, a Sharif ally in the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party, or PML-N. "We want him to face charges on issues ranging from trampling over democracy to the way he ruled Pakistan."

Senior officials told the Financial Times that a compromise that would have allowed Musharraf to stand down seemed possible Thursday. But it was scuttled by Sharif's opposition to amnesty.

They also said that an official from Saudi Arabia has flown to Pakistan to help mediate a settlement.