LONDON, March 31: A four-member delegation of the US Congress met former prime minister Nawaz Sharif here on Saturday to what PML-N sources said get Mr Sharif’s assessment of the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan.

PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif and party’s information secretary Ahsan Iqbal accompanied Nawaz Sharif during the meeting with the US Congressmen.

The meeting – first-ever between the former prime minister and high profile US political leadership since his ouster from power in October 1999 -- lasted for over two hours.

After the meeting, the US Congressmen left for Pakistan where they are expected to call on President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other top government functionaries.

Circles close to the ARD here did not rule out the possibility of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto mediating the Saturday’s meeting between the US Congressmen and PML-N leadership which has always felt uneasy at Ms Bhutto’s Washington leanings.

Online adds: The US Congressmen promised their support for the restoration of democracy and holding of fair and free elections in Pakistan.

They said: "Congress is considering proposals to link Pakistan’s economic assistance with progress on fighting terrorism and restoring democracy.”