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Brown hosts talks with Musharraf | Brown hosts talks with Musharraf |
(10 minutes later) | |
Gordon Brown is expected to use his meeting with Pakistan's President Musharraf to urge him to ensure that upcoming elections are free and fair. | Gordon Brown is expected to use his meeting with Pakistan's President Musharraf to urge him to ensure that upcoming elections are free and fair. |
Mr Brown and Mr Musharraf are also discussing the fight against terrorism during talks which began at 1230 GMT. | Mr Brown and Mr Musharraf are also discussing the fight against terrorism during talks which began at 1230 GMT. |
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said the PM would offer more help and equipment to fight extremism. | BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said the PM would offer more help and equipment to fight extremism. |
Meanwhile, armed men have taken about 250 children hostage at a primary school in north-west Pakistan. | |
There are conflicting reports as to whether the hostage-takers are Islamist militants or local criminals, but police say there are six or seven armed men involved. | |
Protest | |
Before Mr Brown and Mr Musharraf's meeting, protesters including Pakistan cricket star- turned-politician Imran Khan gathered outside Downing Street. | |
The crowd waved pictures of assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, shouting: "We want justice." | The crowd waved pictures of assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, shouting: "We want justice." |
James Robbins said Mr Brown would also "press for much more spending on state schools in Pakistan to provide a real alternative to madrassa schools, accused of teaching radicalism and violence". | |
Mr Musharraf has been touring Europe trying to reassure governments that next month's national elections will be a positive turning point for Pakistan. | Mr Musharraf has been touring Europe trying to reassure governments that next month's national elections will be a positive turning point for Pakistan. |
Parliamentary polls planned for January were postponed until 18 February after Ms Bhutto was assassinated at a campaign rally. | Parliamentary polls planned for January were postponed until 18 February after Ms Bhutto was assassinated at a campaign rally. |
'Transparent' | |
The president's three-day visit to the UK drew demonstrations outside Downing Street at the weekend and on Monday. | |
Human rights campaigners and lawyers have been protesting against his dismissal and detention of judges he has come into conflict with. | Human rights campaigners and lawyers have been protesting against his dismissal and detention of judges he has come into conflict with. |
Many are concerned he will try to delay or rig the poll. | Many are concerned he will try to delay or rig the poll. |
Mr Musharraf's first engagement was on Friday at the Royal United Services Institute in London. | Mr Musharraf's first engagement was on Friday at the Royal United Services Institute in London. |
British officials are said to be pleased with Mr Musharraf's detailed commitments when answering questions about the delayed elections. | British officials are said to be pleased with Mr Musharraf's detailed commitments when answering questions about the delayed elections. |
He promised they would be "free, fair, transparent and peaceful". | He promised they would be "free, fair, transparent and peaceful". |