The US government called Monday for a "date certain" for elections in Pakistan after a four-week delay was touted following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
The United States would still prefer the parliamentary elections to go ahead as planned on January 8 if they "can be held in a safe and secure way," State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters.
But if a delay was widely supported in Pakistan because of turmoil sparked by Benazir's murder, that "would be acceptable to us," he said. "The key here is that there be a date certain for the elections in Pakistan," Casey stressed.
"We would certainly have concerns, I think, about some sort of indefinite postponement of the election, as I don't think that serves the interests of anyone."
Casey offered his congratulations to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and played down any concerns over biggest political party being led by someone so young. "Political parties in Pakistan and elsewhere can choose who they want to have for their leadership," he said, adding the United States stood ready to work with all leaders to ensure a moderate and democratic Pakistan.