Tony Blair's shuttle diplomacy continues with a Thursday visit to London by Pakistan's military ruler general Parvez Musharraf.

The prime minister is set to fly to Washington on Wednesday for a meeting and dinner with president Bush before returning overnight ready for talks on Thursday with king Abdullah of Jordan and Musharraf in Downing Street.

Pakistan is facing growing unrest over its backing of the Western-led war against Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, with strikes and nationwide protests planned for Friday. The leader of the country's largest Islamic party has been placed under house arrest on sedition charges after criticising Musharraf's support of the military campaign.

Blair will urge president Bush to accept more help from Europe when they meet in Washington tomorrow.