US to keep helping Pakistan

2008-08-18 20:23

Washington - The United States will keep helping Pakistan fight extremism, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday after President Pervez Musharraf, a close US ally in counter-terrorism efforts, said he was quitting.

Rice praised Musharraf for having made the "critical choice" to join the battle against al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremists.

She said he had been a friend to the United States and one of the world's most committed partners in the war against terror.

"For this, he has our deep gratitude," she said.

"We will continue to work with the Pakistani government and political leaders and urge them to redouble their focus on Pakistan's future and its most urgent needs, including stemming the growth of extremism, addressing food and energy shortages, and improving economic stability," Rice said.

"The United States will help with these efforts to see Pakistan reach its goal of becoming a stable, prosperous, democratic, modern, Muslim nation," she said.

Speculation Musharraf would resign had mounted since Pakistan's fractious coalition government, led by the party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, said this month it planned to impeach him.

The United States, apparently resigned to Musharraf's exit, had said earlier that Pakistan's leadership was a Pakistani issue.

Rice underscored US support for Pakistan's new democratically elected civilian government in what she said was its desire to modernise and build democratic institutions.

"The United States supported the transition to democratic government in Pakistan and respects the results of the election.

"We believe that respect for the democratic and constitutional processes in that country is fundamental to Pakistan's future and its fight against terrorism."

- Reuters