Bhutto mourners vow poll revenge

Thousands gathered in Garhi Khuda Baksh to mourn Ms Bhutto

Supporters of Pakistan's assassinated former PM Benazir Bhutto have ended a 40-day period of mourning for her by pledging to win this month's elections.

Her widower and political heir, Asif Ali Zardari, addressed a crowd of thousands at the Bhutto family mausoleum in Sindh province.

He said he was ready to be "martyred" to fulfil Ms Bhutto's "mission".

Police say they have arrested two people linked to the suicide attack on Ms Bhutto in Rawalpindi in December.

The two suspects were described by the police as "facilitators".

Video footage of the attack suggests Ms Bhutto was targeted by a suicide bomber and a gunman.

At least 20 other people died in the attack on the election rally in Rawalpindi and several more were hurt.

After Thursday's ceremony, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which Ms Bhutto led, is expected to start campaigning for elections due to take place on 18 February.

'Best revenge

Ms Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, whom she named in her political will as her political heir, addressed thousands of mourners gathered at the family's mausoleum in the village of Garhi Khuda Baksh.

Benazir Bhutto was killed on the campaign trail

"If I am martyred before completing the mission of Benazir Bhutto, then I should also be buried here," he said.

People arrived in groups and caravans from all over the country for the prayer service.

"We spent three days to reach here on foot," party supporter Mushtaq Ali said.

Many spent the night in tents outside the white marble mausoleum, chanting Koranic verses and listening to recordings of mourning songs.

"We have to win this election - in our leader's words, democracy is the best revenge," a mourner Nabi Bux Kalhoro told the AFP news agency.

Truce offer

Earlier this week, the Pakistan People's Party released Ms Bhutto's political will in which she backs her husband to be party leader.

Mr Zardari is currently in charge of the party. Their 19-year-old son Bilawal is the titular head.

Ms Bhutto's killing led to a six-week delay to parliamentary elections.

President Pervez Musharraf has said the elections would be "free, fair and transparent".

Mr Musharraf recently stepped down as military leader and the election is seen as a test of his democratic credentials.

Separately, a truce has been declared by militants allied to the man Mr Musharraf's government accuses of ordering Ms Bhutto's killing.

Pro-Taleban guerrillas loyal to a local tribal leader, Baitullah Mehsud, announced a voluntary ceasefire on Wednesday, reportedly saying they were prepared to negotiate with the government.

The militants have been fighting Pakistani troops from their stronghold in a semi-autonomous region of the country, bordering Afghanistan.