Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf arrives at the European Parliament in Brussels Jan. 21, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Jan. 26 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has arrived in Britain. He's there to convince the UK's large Pakistani community and its government that he is the best hope for restoring democracy and peace back home. Musharraf's visit to London is the final stop of his whirlwind European tour.

    Addressing a packed audience at the Royal United Services Institute, Musharraf spent 30 minutes explaining recent Pakistani history, his battle against militants, and plans for free and fair national elections to take place next month.

    The majority of Britain's some 1.6 million Muslims are of Pakistani descent and Musharraf knows it's their power and opinions that can shape political futures.

    Pervez Musharraf said "The election will be free, fair, transparent and peaceful. The system inherently is fair and I will give out the system whenever anyone asks. Whatever bugs remain in the system, that it could be manipulated, have been removed by me and my government."

    The president also reiterated his opposition to the prospect of the United States sending ground forces to Pakistan to fight militants operating in tribal regions there.

    On Monday, he will meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other government officials.

    Meanwhile in Pakistan, the army says helicopter gun-ships and artillery have pounded Taliban hide-outs on the border, killing up to 30 suspected rebels.

    Fighting broke out after militants captured four trucks carrying supplies and ammunition for the paramilitary Frontier Corps and refused to return them.

    (Source: CCTV.com)

Musharraf vows to respect election result

    BRUSSELS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Monday promised his administration would respect the result of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

    "Whoever wins, obviously power will be handed over," he told reporters and business leaders at a breakfast event in Brussels, where he began his four-nation visit to Europe. Full story

Solana holds talks with Musharraf 

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana (R) welcomes Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, before their bilateral meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels.  (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BRUSSELS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- European Union top diplomat Javier Solana met here on Monday visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and discussed with him regional and global issues of mutual interests.

    At a joint press briefing after the meeting, Solana thanked Musharraf for their "very good and frank exchange of views on three main issues."  Full story

NATO chief, Musharraf discuss Afghanistan

    BRUSSELS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf discussed Afghanistan on Monday when they met in a hotel in Brussels.

    They noted that both Afghanistan and Pakistan face the same challenge of violent extremism and terrorism, said NATO in a press release. Full story

Musharraf vows to improve Pakistan's image in Europe visit

    ISLAMABAD, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Sunday that his four-nation European visit is aimed at improving Pakistan's image and removing certain misperception about happenings in the country and the region.

    Musharraf made the remarks to the media at the Chaklala airbase before his departure for an eight-day visit to Belgium, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.  Full story

Pakistani official confirms suspect's confession in Bhutto's assassination

    ISLAMABAD, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah said Sunday one of the two suspects arrested has confessed that he was an intending suicide bomber in the assassination of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

    Kamal Shah told the private Geo TV on Sunday that Aitzaz Shah, 15, has conceded that he was a would-be bomber. Full story

Two arrested over Bhutto assassination plot

    BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Pakistani authority arrested two people who were believed to have involved in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, media reported Sunday.

    A 15-year-old and his militant "handler" were arrested in the northwestern town of Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday night. Full story