'Russia hopes for Pakistan stability'

"Russia hopes the departure of Pakistani Prez Musharraf will not have negative consequences for the internal political stability of this major Asian nation," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Russia expressed hope on Monday that the resignation of Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf would not cause instability in the country.

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"Russia hopes the departure of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will not have negative consequences for the internal political stability of this major Asian nation," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We hope the situation in Pakistan will not break out of constitutional limits and will remain within the framework of law and order," it said.

The Russian statement came hours after Musharraf announced his resignation in a televised address, bringing the curtain down on a turbulent nine years in power to avoid the first impeachment in the nuclear-armed nation's history.