President Pervez Musharraf vowed in a US newspaper opinion piece published on Friday that he would work with new parliament after opposition parties agreed to form a coalition government.
Musharraf, a key ally in the US-led "war on terror", wrote in the Washington Post that Pakistan required continued US support to defeat terrorism, forge a stable government and create the foundation for economic growth.
"Because these goals are shared by the vast majority of Pakistanis, I am certain we can and will accomplish them, and I stand ready to work with the newly elected parliament to achieve these objectives," he wrote. "The people of Pakistan on Monday demonstrated that willingness; now it is time for government leaders to work together and do our part."
Pakistan's two main opposition parties - led by the widower of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto and by ex-premier Nawaz Sharif - agreed on Thursday to form a coalition government, forging an alliance that brings them nearer the two-thirds majority they would need to seek Musharraf's impeachment.
In the opinion piece, Musharraf described the vote as a "milestone in our nation's 60-year history," and said the transition to democracy was vital for "reconciliation" and to help the country face an array of challenges.
"But our success will require the continued support of the United States," he added. "I would ask Americans to remember that building democracy is difficult in the best of conditions". The White House said on Wednesday that it hoped the new parliament would continue to work with Musharraf, giving its backing to the embattled former general.
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