ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: President Pervez Musharraf has announced a three-day national mourning for Benazir Bhutto who, he said, had been murdered by “the same terrorists we are battling with”.

In a brief television address on Thursday evening the president called upon the nation to remain calm and join the fight against the terrorists. “The government is unshaken in its resolve to uproot terrorism once and for all,” he said.

President Musharraf said the national flag will fly at half mast during the three-day mourning for Benazir Bhutto who fell victim to a plot which will hardly be fathomed.

The president said that his resolve against terrorism will further strengthen after what he termed a “very tragic and sad death” of the PPP leader.

He appealed to the nation to get united against terrorists and extremists who according to him were out to destroy Pakistan. “I give a commitment to the nation today that I would continue my struggle till the time when the scourge of terrorism and extremism is uprooted from our society,” he said.

“But I need your full cooperation and support to deal with extremism which is a huge blockade in the way of development and progress of the country,” he said.

He said that terrorism was the biggest threat to the country and it had to be dealt with on war footing.

At a high-level meeting on Wednesday, the president had directed the officials concerned to arrange special security for the key politicians. The meeting was also attended by Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, interior minister and senior military and civilian officials.