A senior British General, Sir Charles Guthrie, is going to Pakistan for the first high-level talks between the two countries since the military takeover by General Pervais Musharraf.

His trip coincides with a British newspaper report that the cabinet is divided over whether to lift restrictions on arms sales to Pakistan.

General Guthrie is due to see General Musharraf for discussions which British officials say will focus on regional security.

His visit will coincide with one by a group of American congressmen.

A United States spokesman said their main aim was to find out when General Musharraf intended to return Pakistan to democratic rule.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service