Musharraf says new parliament session to be summoned within two weeks

ISLAMABAD, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday that the first session of the new National Assembly would be summoned within two weeks, at which a new prime minister will be elected.

Musharraf made the remarks while speaking at a water-supply scheme ceremony in Jacobabad of south Pakistan's Sindh Province, News Network International (NNI) reported.

In the Feb. 18 elections, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan Muslin League-Nawaz (PML-N) led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wonout and are conducting consultation on forming a coalition federal government.

The winning parties demand Musharraf summon the new National Assembly session as soon as possible, at which the parliament speaker and new prime minister will be elected.

Musharraf also highlighted the victory of the moderates in the elections, especially in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), believing the new leadership would curb extremist forces and end chaos.

"I am happy that the extremists faced defeat and moderate forces emerged victorious in the elections, especially in the North West," the NNI news agency quoted Musharraf as saying.

Musharraf said he would support the new government, and hoped the new government will continue its fight against extremism and terrorism.

"If we could not succeed on economic front and in fight against extremism and terrorism, the failure would create hurdles in the way of economic prosperity," the president said.