Miliband urges Pakistan elections

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As General Musharraf called a meeting to discuss a timetable for elections, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said those in Pakistan's corridors of power were in "no doubt" about the West's stance.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Mr Miliband insisted that democracy was "the ally of security and moderation".

"President Musharraf's commitment to resign as chief of the army and hold free and fair elections is one that we think is very important indeed and one we hope to see clarity on very soon," Mr Miliband said.

Police were involved in renewed clashes on the streets of Pakistan on Tuesday in the wake of Gen Musharraf's weekend declaration of a state of emergency and the authorities' detention of thousands of protesters.

Mr Miliband said he had spoken to Pakistani prime minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday night and suggested there had been a "harbinger" of the clarity of intent the UK was demanding.

He will be making a statement about the situation to the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Gen Musharraf has been under intense international pressure since he suspended Pakistan's constitution on Saturday ahead of a Supreme Court ruling expected to state that his recent re-election was illegal.

Demonstrations and clashes between lawyers and the police have ensued, leading to the detention of up to 2,000 protesters, while leading opposition figures, including former cricketer Imran Khan, have been put under house arrest.

Protests continued on Tuesday as thousands of lawyers took to the streets to protest against attacks on the judiciary, although some were blocked by police in the central city of Multan.