WASHINGTON, Nov 10: US President George W. Bush made it clear on Saturday that his government still wants to work with President Pervez Musharraf and backs a power-sharing deal between the general and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Mr Bush told a news conference at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, that Gen Musharraf understood the necessity of standing firm against extremists and expressed confidence that whoever led Pakistan would feel the same way. He also cited Ms Bhutto by name, linking her with Gen Musharraf.

“He fully understands the dangers of Al Qaeda … Benazir Bhutto fully understands the dangers of Al Qaeda,” Mr Bush said.“By far the vast majority of people in Pakistan want to live in a free and peaceful society, and they understand the dangers of Al Qaeda. ... I believe we will continue to have good collaboration with the leadership in Pakistan.”

Mr Bush did say that he wanted Gen Musharraf to end the emergency rule, but stressed that the US needed his cooperation to fight Al Qaeda.

Mr Bush said the Pakistani leader had promised to take the two ‘positive steps’.

“Suspension of the emergency decree will make it easy for democracy to flourish in Pakistan,” Mr Bush said, adding that his message to Gen Musharraf had been “consistent and clear”.

“I vowed to the American people to keep the pressure on them (Al Qaeda). I fully understand we need cooperation to do so,” Mr Bush said. “One country we need cooperation from is Pakistan.”