LONDON, March 14: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto met British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Monday and both sides discussed reconciliation efforts going on in Pakistan between the government and opposition parties.

A British Foreign Office spokesman said the two leaders discussed the political situation in Pakistan and expressed support for further development of democracy in Pakistan.

The spokesman told reporters that the meeting took place at Ms Bhutto’s request and was held because Ms Bhutto led a major political party of Pakistan.

The spokesman reaffirmed the British government’s strong relationship with the government of President Pervez Musharraf.

Later at night, Ms Bhutto left for Dubai.