The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Monday that next month's elections had to be credible, insisting the country's stability was vital for South Asia.

Brown's call came as demonstrators staged angry protests against Musharraf's visit to London, at the end of a week-long trip to Europe aimed at reassuring leaders about the transparency of the delayed February 18 vote.

"Credible elections" were "essential", Brown said at a joint news conference following what he called "very productive" talks with a "key ally" in combating terrorism and extremism. "I urged President Musharraf to engage with all political parties in Pakistan for a peaceful, democratic future for the country," he said at his Downing Street office.

"A stable Pakistan is essential for the security of the South Asia region."

Musharraf had assured him that processes were in place to ensure transparent polling, Brown said.

The world's priority had to be ensuring "that the democratic process remains on track", he added. Musharraf voiced a "strong desire" to hold the parliamentary elections, postponed in the wake of the December 27 assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

"I am very sure that we will have a peaceful transition and we will have a strong democratic government following the February 18 election," he added.