The Chief of Britain's Defence Staff, Sir Charles Guthrie, has had a meeting with the Pakistani military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, in the highest-level contact between the two countries since General Musharraf seized power in October.

His visit coincides with reports of differences within the British government over whether to sell arms to Pakistan.

Sir Charles said after the meeting that the issue was not raised - but he added that there were about eighty outstanding arms export licences to Pakistan, and these would be judged on a case-by-case basis. Sir Charles said he pressed General Musharraf for a timetable for a return to civilian rule.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service