Musharraf: Voting 'milestone' to democracy

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.

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 ... ."