Musharraf vows support for new Pakistan government

Islamabad: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf assured full support to the incoming government on Sunday, a day after the party of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto nominated the country's next prime minister.

The Pakistan People's Party has put forward Yousaf Raza Gilani, a close aide of Bhutto's and a former National Assembly speaker who Musharraf had jailed in 2001, as its candidate for prime minister.

Gilani, who was released in 2006, is expected to win with a thumping majority when the National Assembly votes on Monday, and he will be sworn in on Tuesday.

Musharraf said in a televised speech, "Whichever new government is formed, it will enjoy my full support."

He added, "I hope that these governments will maintain political peace ... and will continue the struggle against terrorism and extremism with the same force."