"We have consistently said the internal politics of Pakistan is an issue for the Pakistani people to decide. Our expectation is that any action will be consistent with the rule of law and the Pakistani constitution," State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said.

"It is the responsibility of their leaders to decide on a way forward to succeed as a modern and democratic country. We will continue our close ties with the democratically elected government," he said in a briefing.

Musharraf is facing the gravest crisis since seizing power over eight years ago with Pakistan's ruling coalition on Thursday evening deciding to impeach him.

Coalition leaders Asif Ali Zardari of PPP and Nawaz Sharif of PML-N said the President had failed to address new Parliament as required by the Constitution while economic policies pursued by his government over the past eight years had brought Pakistan to the brink of a "critical economic impasse".

However, the United States said it is keeping a close watch over the situation.