Musharraf vows to back coalition

Mr Musharraf (R) said he was proud of his achievements in eight years

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has pledged full support to the incoming coalition government, which will be made up of his political opponents.

At a military parade to mark Pakistan's national day, Mr Musharraf said a new era of democracy was beginning.

The remarks came a day after his political opponents nominated Yusuf Raza Gillani as candidate for PM.

Mr Gillani, a supporter of assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, is likely to be confirmed on Monday.

He will lead a coalition government of Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's PML(N) party.

He told reporters in Islamabad that he would need the prayers and co-operation of the entire nation.

Mr Musharraf, a US ally who came to power as a general in a 1999 coup, suffered heavy losses in the polls and appears increasingly isolated, say analysts.

'Democratic era'

The president said he felt proud to have put his homeland on the path of progress.

Whichever new government is formed, it will have my full support President Musharraf Profile: Yusuf Raza Gillani Coalition promises benefits

"My brothers and sisters, you are seeing that a real democratic era has begun in Pakistan," he said.

"We are proud that during the past eight years, not only did we lay the foundation of a real democracy, but we also put Pakistan on the path of progress and prosperity.

"Whichever new government is formed, it will have my full support."

The BBC's Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says the remarks are an attempt by Mr Musharraf to reach out to his opponents, who now hold the key to his future.

But the opposition has said repeatedly that it wants Mr Musharraf to resign, and some of its supporters have spoken of impeachment.

Many were jailed or exiled when the now weakened president was at the peak of his power, including Mr Gillani, who spent five years in jail on charges of corruption which were eventually dismissed.

He now is expected to be elected by a big majority on Monday, and then sworn in by President Musharraf himself on Tuesday afternoon.

The new coalition government has vowed to reinstate judges sacked by the president during a state of emergency in November.

Correspondents say the judges, if restored, could overturn Mr Musharraf's re-election in a parliamentary vote last October, effectively ruling his presidency illegal.