Democratic presidential hopeful and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson released a statement reacting to the asssassination of Pakistani former prime minister and opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, saying "We mourn for Ms. Bhutto. She knew the dangers to her safety. Her death, and the deaths of so many of her supporters is more than just a tragedy. It is a testament to the will of the Pakistani people to see democracy restored. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died today."

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Richardson stated, "It is in the interests of the US that there be a democratic Pakistan that relentlessly hunts down terrorists. Musharraf has failed,and his attempts to cling to power are destabilizing his country. He must go."

"Today all New Yorkers, including the more than 100,000 who can trace their heritage to Pakistan, are saddened to learn about the assassination of Pakistan's Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Hers was a voice for democracy, and the silencing of it - by such brutal means - is a shock to us all. Ms. Bhutto's death - and the deaths of the many other Pakistanis who were killed today simply for expressing their views - is a great loss for friends of democracy and for everyone who is united in the fight against terror. It's also a grim reminder that many people consider the freedoms we cherish a threat. The perpetrators of this violent act must be brought to justice, and it is my hope that President Musharraf will follow through on free and fair elections in January as a testament to Ms. Bhutto's legacy."

Pakistan put its paramilitary forces on "red alert" across the country on Thursday after the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto sparked violent protests by her supporters.

President Pervez Musharraf denounced what he called a terrorist attack and appealed for calm after angry backers of the slain former prime minister took to the streets across Pakistan, from the Himalayas to the southern coast.

The unrest was predictably fiercest in her native Sindh province and its capital, Karachi.

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto threatens to plunge a nuclear armed Pakistan into civil war, opposition groups warned today.

The former prime minister was killed by a suicide bomber as she left a public rally in the city of Rawalpindi today.

Commentators said the killing would make the postponement of the upcoming elections almost certain and could spark further unrest.

The disappearance of hundreds of government opponents is Pakistan's most critical human rights issue, a leading campaign group there has said.

The mother of a 12-year-old girl from the Outer Hebrides who relatives fear has been taken to Pakistan for an arranged marriage made a tearful plea for her return today.

Nearly 60 people, including a prominent tribal leader, are thought to have been killed in a battle between government forces and fighters in Baluchistan.

Many Muslims in Britain are beginning to doubt the alleged plot to blow up aircraft flying to the United States from Britain.

The Federal Government's "war on terrorism" has suffered an embarrassing setback after Joseph Thomas, dubbed Jihad Jack, walked free after an appeal court quashed his conviction.

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