MQM backs Zardari for post of President Islamabad, Aug 20: Backing PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari for the post of President, Pakistan's opposition MQM party today said he was a suitable candidate as he hailed from "a small province" of Sindh and was capable of handling crises in "an amicable and judicious way". Though Zardari recently ruled himself out from the presidential race, MQM chief Altaf Hussain proposed his name for the post, which fell vacant following the resignation of Pervez Musharraf on Monday. Hussain said he was backing Zardari -- a Sindhi -- as his selection "would serve the need to find a President from a small province". Senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar said Zardari was a suitable candidate due to his abilities to "handle crises in an amicable and judicious way". Zardari had also promoted the atmosphere of national reconciliation and harmony after winning the polls, he said. Other MQM leaders backed Zardari for his "sacrifices" for ushering in democracy and for his role in ensuring Musharraf's ouster from office. Though the MQM is in the opposition at the centre, it is a key partner in the PPP-led coalition government in Sindh province. It had also announced that it would abstain if an impeachment motion was moved against Musharraf in Parliament. Responding to the MQM's proposal, Zardari thanked Altaf Hussain for his "positive role during the political developments of the last few days that led to the resignation of Musharraf". Bureau Report