SHOOT-OUTS between political rivals killed three people yesterday, marring the first general elections in Pakistan since a 1999 military coup led by President Pervez Musharraf ended democratic rule.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair was today gearing up for a coalition-building visit to Washington and New York later this week as the world waits to see what action the United States will take over the terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Tony Blair today spoke by telephone to Pakistan’s President Pervaiz Musharraf as part of what Downing Street described as a ‘‘continual conversation’’ with world leaders on the current crisis.