Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who aided the US fight against terrorism after the September 11 attacks, has died. He was 79 years old.

Pakistan's state media and other sources say Musharraf died on Sunday at a hospital in Dubai.

In 1999, Musharraf seized power from then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He became Pakistan's president in 2001.

Musharraf provided full support to the US in what it called the war on terror. He cracked down on Al-Qaeda militants and Islamic extremist groups in Pakistan.

But his heavy-handed political stance and the deterioration in the security situation led to his government's loss in the 2008 general election. He stepped down as president as calls for his impeachment grew.

Musharraf later faced treason charges. He spent years in self-imposed exile abroad, citing the need for medical treatment.