Brown support after Pakistan blasts

More than 130 people died and hundreds more were injured in the double suicide bomb blast during a procession marking Ms Bhutto's return home to Karachi after eight years in exile.

The authorities in Karachi have blamed the attack on al Qaida and the Taliban.

Mr Brown branded the violence "horrific" and sent his condolences to the families of those killed. A hotline was set up for people in the UK concerned about relatives and friends in Karachi.

Speaking from the EU summit in Lisbon, Mr Brown said: "The message must go out that we will not tolerate this terrorist violence.

"We will give support to the Pakistani authorities in dealing with those terrorists who have caused the bombings and we will support, at all times, the attempts by the Pakistani people to establish a democracy in their country."

In a message sent to Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf, he said he was "deeply shocked" at the atrocities.

"I am appalled by this horrific use of violence against entirely innocent people. I join in condemning utterly this attack on Pakistanis exercising their right to express their democratic voice as the country prepares for free and fair elections in January.

"On behalf of the British Government, please accept my sincerest condolences for those Pakistanis who have lost their lives.

"You can be assured of the United Kingdom's continuing support to work with all those committed to building a peaceful and democratic Pakistan."