UK 'to support' Pakistan and Kenya

David Miliband has told MPs that the government is committed to using "all its assets" to help Pakistan and Kenya "on the path to peaceful and prosperous development".

The foreign secretary called on the government to do its best to secure "free and fair" elections in Pakistan, which have been delayed until February 18 following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto on December 27 2007.

He also used a Commons statement on Monday to condemn the growing violence in Kenya following a disputed election result over the Christmas recess.

Miliband acknowledged that there was often the "temptation to turn away" from international affairs, but pointed out that there are 800,000 British people of Pakistani origin and an estimated 30,000 British citizens resident in Kenya.

"There is cross-party condemnation of terrorism in this House and a determination to stand with the people of Pakistan against the power of the bomb and the bullet, and I welcome that," he told MPs.

And he said it was "vital" that the assassins did not succeed in destroying democracy in Pakistan.

Pledging to ensure that the circumstances of Bhutto's death were established, the foreign secretary also called for all remaining political detainees to be released and media restrictions to be lifted.

And he said the British government needed to "further improve counter-terrorism co-operation".

"We continue to call on the government of Pakistan to improve the prospects for credible elections, particularly by increasing transparency both now and on election day itself."

The government would ensure that British Pakistanis are "informed about developments", Miliband said.

"While the next five weeks are important so are the next five years and beyond," he added.

"Economic, social and political developments in Pakistan need to proceed need to proceed hand in hand with international support."

Kenya

Miliband condemned the "appalling" violence in Kenya following the disputed election result.

He said there were three key issues occupying the government - violence and the resulting humanitarian crisis, the elections and mediation.

Miliband pointed out that the humanitarian crisis which was "due entirely" to the post-election violence had created up to 250,000 refugees from rural areas.

He advised against non-essential travel and urged Britons in Kenya to remain indoors in affected areas.

"It is vital not just for Kenya but the whole of Africa" that the democratic process "works and is seen to work".

But, warning that voting irregularities "stand in the way" of forming a stable government, he called for all allegations of fraud to be investigated.

Calling on Kenya's political leaders to make the "necessary compromises" to move forward, he said they were more likely to do so "with external help".

"Fail to compromise and they will forfeit the confidence, goodwill and support of their own people and the international community," he added.

"The stakes are high for the Kenyan people and we will remain fully engaged on the political and consular track."