Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf [Images] asserted May 11 that former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto [Images] and Nawaz Sharif would not be allowed to return from exile to contest the 2007 general election.

Musharraf was addressing a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q party leaders in Sargodha, Punjab.

He rejected Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party demand to hold a mid-term election this year.

Musharraf appealed to moderate groups in the country to unite to defeat extremist forces.

Musharraf apparently wants the support of the PPP and PML-N, both mainstream parties, without their leaders.

Two days ago, Musharraf said in Lahore [Images] that he was in touch with Bhutto for political reconciliation.

Senior PPP leader Amin Fahim said Bhutto has convened a meeting of top leaders in July in London [Images] to discuss the outcome of the contact between her and Musharraf.

Bhutto lives in self-exile in London and Dubai, while Sharif's family has been exiled to Jeddah.