Musharraf praises Pakistan poll

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, praising parliamentary elections held Monday, said the polls must pave the way for a policy of reconciliation.

Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot in Islamabad, Musharraf said, "I have fulfilled my pledge made to the nation to hold the polls on Feb. 18," the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Musharraf, who has been in power since he led a bloodless military coup in 1999, has been under intense international pressure to ensure fair and free elections, the outcome of which could decide whether he would be able continue to exercise his authority.

Pakistan has been wracked by Islamist radical violence in the past several months. Musharraf is seen as a key ally in the U.S.-led war against terrorism.

"The politics of confrontation must give way to policy of reconciliation; not in anyone's personal interests, but in Pakistan's interest," Musharraf was quoted as saying.

Assuring he would remain "committed to this policy of reconciliation," Musharraf said he will work with any party that wins the election and forms a government, the report said.

He said it was important the next government serve its full five-year term and eliminate terrorism and extremism, the APP reported.