WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- The parliamentary elections in Pakistan Monday "was a milestone" in the country's history, President Pervez Musharraf wrote in a commentary published Friday.

Pakistan's transition to democracy -- after months of turmoil that included the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto -- "is essential to achieving reconciliation among our people," Musharraf said in an article published in The Washington Post. (NYSE:WPO)

Musharraf, whose party lost control of Parliament, said his government "worked tirelessly" to ensure the elections were "free, fair, transparent and peaceful."

Now Pakistan faces three tasks: defeating terrorism and extremism; building a stable and effective democratic government; and creating a solid foundation for sustained economic growth, Musharraf said.

"Because these goals are shared by the vast majority of Pakistanis, I am certain we can and will accomplish them," he wrote, "and I stand ready to work with the newly elected Parliament to achieve these objectives."

Musharraf, a U.S. ally in its fight on terrorism, said Pakistan's success "will require the continued support of the United States. I would ask Americans to remember that building democracy is difficult in the best of conditions ... ."