WASHINGTON, Feb 13: The United States has urged President Gen Pervez Musharraf to step down as army chief, but unlike the Commonwealth did not set a deadline for giving up his dual role.

At a briefing in Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher emphasized the need to ensure that the 2007 elections would meet international standards and all political parties would be allowed "full participation".

"We think it would be a good step for him (to resign as Army Chief of Staff)," said Mr Boucher, when asked if the United States supported the demand for President Musharraf to give up his position in the army.

The spokesman also spelled out Washington's policy on the issue of democracy in Pakistan while commenting on a Commonwealth statement which criticized Gen Musharraf for reneging on his pledge to step down as army chief.

The United States believed it was more important for Pakistan to build democracy in advance of elections in 2007, Mr Boucher said and added that in the meantime Pakistan should concentrate on strengthening its institutions, particularly its judiciary and parliament.

The US, he said, expected to see "continuing progress towards this goal, which is central to Pakistan's becoming a modern and moderate nation". Mr Boucher said the United States intended to continue to support the electoral process in Pakistan, which was currently scheduled to culminate in national elections in 2007.