Holbrooke: U.S. urges Pakistan democracy

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke says his country is determined to maintain democracy in Pakistan to help fight terrorism.

Speaking Thursday with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson, Holbrooke said Pakistani democracy would allow the ongoing war on terror to come to a logical end, the Dawn newspaper said.

Zardari assured Holbrooke his Pakistan Peoples Party was attempting to maintain a democratic presence in Pakistan despite an alleged lack of support from the Pakistan Muslim League.

"There is real and genuine democracy in Pakistan but some elements are trying to derail the processes," Zardari said, adding that, "neither there is any danger to democracy nor PPP have closed door of dialogue with PML-N."

The president also assured Holbrooke he would use peaceful means to settle any political crises in Pakistan.

Dawn said during his triangular telephone conversation with Zardari and Patterson, Holbrooke expressed concern regarding Pakistan's detainment of political and legal figures, along with the current political turmoil in the country.