January 13, 2002	Sunday	Shawwal 28, 1422

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LONDON, Jan 12: Prime Minister Tony Blair lauded his Pakistani counterpart’s condemnation of terrorist groups on Saturday and described President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s speech as “courageous,” his Downing Street office said.

Using a nationally televised address, Musharraf declared that Pakistan will not be a base for terrorism and banned two extremist groups accused in last month’s attack on India’s parliament.

“We welcome President Musharraf’s outright condemnation and rejection of terrorism in all its forms and his pledge to deal very firmly with anyone committing terrorist acts from inside Pakistan,” a spokesman for the prime minister said on Saturday.

“We applaud his courageous and forceful defence of a tolerant and moderate Islam and condemnation of all forms of sectarianism and religious hatred,” he added.

Blair’s Downing Street office said the prime minister hoped India would “respond positively” to the message.—APP