UK eyes stronger Pakistan links

Mr Zardari was thrust into centre stage by his wife's death

The UK government has said it hopes to work closely with Pakistan's new president, Asif Ali Zardari, to combat extremism and strengthen democracy.

The Foreign Office said it aimed to "deepen" its partnership with Pakistan after the victory by the widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Strong democracy was the "key to delivering long-term stability, good governance and prosperity," it added.

The Tories and Lib Dems also expressed the need for a stable government.

'Ready to assist'

"We want to work with the government to support measures that promote stability, democracy and the rule of law and strengthen the democratic transition," the Foreign Office said.

We will all look to him to entrench democracy in Pakistan by securing an independent judiciary, a free media and a non-corrupt government which also tackles terrorism decisively Shadow Foreign Secretary

"We believe that Pakistan's people are best served by a democratic government.

"The UK stands ready to assist the government in combating the shared threat of violent extremism and meeting the economic challenges they face."

The UK aid programme would continue to support Pakistan, the government added.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said he hoped that Mr Zardari would "find the strength and wisdom to help his country break out of the cycle of short-lived democracy alternating with long-lasting dictatorships".

"We will all look to him to entrench democracy in Pakistan by securing an independent judiciary, a free media and a non-corrupt government which also tackles terrorism decisively," Mr Hague added.

'Divided population'

The election was called after Pervez Musharraf resigned rather than risk being impeached.

He stands at the crossroads of some of the world's most difficult conflicts Nick Clegg Liberal Democrats

The president was elected by secret ballots in the national and four provincial assemblies.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said that because President Zardari had not been directly elected by the people of Pakistan, he had "his work cut out to establish his legitimacy in the eyes of an anxious and divided population".

"He stands at the crossroads of some of the world's most difficult conflicts," Mr Clegg added.

"He now deserves a chance to come out from the shadows of Pakistani party politics and assert himself as a leader capable of establishing stability in a country wracked by insecurity for far too long."

Mr Zardari was thrust into the centre of political power by the killing of Ms Bhutto last December.