US supports Pakistani moderates

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The United States says it is talking to what it called all important political parties in Pakistan ahead of elections, which are due later this year.

It says it wants to support moderates in the fight against extremists.

But a spokesman would not confirm reports the US was pushing President Pervez Musharraf to join forces with Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

A senior US official says President Musharraf is committed to a stable transition back to democracy.

The US Assistant Secretary for South Asia, Richard Boucher, completed a two-day on Thursday and said that General Musharraf had worked for many years on a programme to develop civil society.

Promoting dialogue

President Musharraf, who wants a second term in office, is seen by Washington as a key ally in fighting terrorism.

Could Benazir Bhutto co-operate with a Musharraf government?

His support is especially vital to the US in the war against the Taleban in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad recently met Ms Bhutto, who is currently in exile, according to reports in the New York Times.

The newspaper quotes an unnamed US diplomat as saying that Washington wants to encourage the two rivals "to look at ways to co-operate politically".

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack would not confirm those reports.

But he acknowledged that the US had been in discussions with what he called "all important parties" to counter the rising threat posed by extremists.

"We are encouraging those who are widely considered political moderates in Pakistan to come together to support a moderate centre in Pakistani politics that is a way to fight against extremist elements," he said.

Strong support

The US does not want to be accused of interfering in a sovereign nation, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington.

Boucher ended his visit to Pakistan on Thursday

But, our correspondent says, it's no secret that if President Musharraf were to be ousted in elections due to take place later this year, it would be a major setback for the Bush administration.

The US assistant secretary of state completed his visit to Pakistan on Thursday, and offered strong support for the president.

"There's a definite commitment there for the election, but it's also part of a bigger programme," said Richard Boucher.

"It fits with making a stable transition from military rule to a newly-elected government this fall, and that's a process we look forward to."

The president is seen by some domestic critics as being too close to Washington.

Last week he was reported to be on the verge of implementing a state of emergency in Pakistan, amid a wave of popular anger over his leadership.

The president was earlier forced to backtrack over his decision to suspend the country's chief justice after the supreme court ruled that such a move was unlawful.

Mr Musharraf has also been under pressure over his role as president and head of the military.