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UK to assist Bhutto investigation UK to assist Bhutto investigation
(about 1 hour later)
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said UK investigators are to assist in the inquiry into the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has said UK investigators are to assist in the inquiry into the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
In a televised address, he said UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown had agreed to send a team of detectives from London to help establish what happened.In a televised address, he said UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown had agreed to send a team of detectives from London to help establish what happened.
He said "terrorists" were behind the murder, and described Ms Bhutto's death as a "great tragedy" for the nation.He said "terrorists" were behind the murder, and described Ms Bhutto's death as a "great tragedy" for the nation.
Elections set for next week in Pakistan have been postponed until 18 February.Elections set for next week in Pakistan have been postponed until 18 February.
Mr Musharraf said too much damage had been done to polling stations and voter papers during the violence in the wake of Ms Bhutto's assassination last Thursday. Mr Musharraf said too much damage had been done to polling stations and voter papers during the unrest in the wake of Ms Bhutto's assassination last Thursday.
"Election commission offices, their centres, polling stations and their equipment were all damaged and destroyed. Hence the election commission was facing a big difficulty to hold these elections," he said.
'Bhutto legacy'
Speaking shortly after the president's address, Ms Bhutto's widow, Asif Ali Zardari, welcomed Britain's involvement in the investigation into her killing, but he repeated earlier calls for a wider, UN inquiry.
Murder inquiry questions Successors' challengeReaders react to succession Murder inquiry questions Successors' challengeReaders react to succession
He confirmed the Pakistan People's Party would take part in the elections. He said "miscreants and political elements" had taken advantage of the situation - "looting, burning and killing".
"It is the legacy of our leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to participate in elections, no matter what the circumstances," he said "Election commission offices, their centres, polling stations and their equipment were all damaged and destroyed. Hence the election commission was facing a big difficulty to hold these elections [on 8 January]," he said.
The main opposition parties say they will take part, despite having demanded the election be held as originally planned on 8 January. Mr Musharraf said he was setting up a commission to identify who was responsible for the widespread violence, in which at least 47 people have died.
They have accused officials of seeking to rig the elections. At the same time, the president promised free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections.
The vote is seen as a crucial move towards democratic rule under President Musharraf, an important ally in the US-led "war on terror" who stood down as army chief in November. He called for reconciliation rather than confrontation in the run-up to the polls, and said troops and paramilitary soldiers would ensure law and order during this time.
'Bhutto legacy'
The 30-minute speech was Mr Musharraf's first major public address since Ms Bhutto's death.
Mr Musharraf referred to "the pain and anger" of Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP), especially in her home province of Sindh.
This is a very significant investigation - all the confusion that has been created in the nation must be resolved President Musharraf
He paid tribute to his political opponent, saying: "I also feel the same sadness and anger - I respect the sentiments of the nation."
He repeated official allegations that al-Qaeda was behind Ms Bhutto's killing, and urged the media to "expose" pro-Taleban militant leaders who, he said, were orchestrating suicide attacks in Pakistan.
He said new evidence was coming to light but that expert advice was needed, and he thanked the British prime minister for accepting his request for assistance.
Mr Musharraf says soldiers will keep law and order during elections"This is a very significant investigation. All the confusion that has been created in the nation must be resolved," Mr Musharraf said.
The UK's Metropolitan Police Service has confirmed that it is to send a small team from its counter-terrorism branch to provide support in the Bhutto murder inquiry.
In a statement, it said the officers would travel to Pakistan as soon as possible but that the Pakistani authorities would continue to lead the investigation.
Bhutto's legacy
Speaking shortly after the president's address, Ms Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, welcomed Britain's involvement in the investigation into her killing, but he repeated earlier calls for a wider, UN inquiry.
Ms Bhutto's party has been demanding international assistance and has criticised government efforts as woefully inadequate.
Mr Zardari confirmed the PPP would take part in the re-scheduled elections, saying: "It is the legacy of our leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to participate in elections, no matter what the circumstances."
The BBC's Chris Morris in Islamabad says the PPP wanted elections as soon as possible, in order to take advantage of what could be a big sympathy vote.
The ruling PML-Q party had said the 8 January vote should be delayed for several weeks, on the grounds that the vote would "lose credibility" if held under current conditions.
The election is seen as a crucial move towards democratic rule under President Musharraf, an important ally in the US-led "war on terror" who stood down as army chief in November.