Musharraf condemns attack on Bhutto convoy

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz condemn the attack on the convoy of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday night condemned the attack on the convoy of former premier Benazir Bhutto when she was returning to this port city after 8 years in self-exile.

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Musharraf in a statement issued by the state-run news agency said the attack represented "a conspiracy against democracy".

Musharraf and Aziz had both asked the Pakistan People's Party chief to defer her homecoming and the government had said she faced a threat from pro-Taliban militants, especially rebel leader Baitullah Mehsud.

Mehsud had said suicide bombers would be waiting to "recieve" her.

Bhutto, who held a meeting with senior PPP leaders, demanded sacking of the chief of Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau for failing to prevent the attack.

Twin explosions earlier ripped through the motorcade of the former premier, killing at least 43 people and leaving over 100 injured.