PARIS, Nov 7: France has urged President Pervez Musharraf to lift the state of emergency and allow elections to be held by January as previously planned. “We underscore the importance that we accord to the respect for the rule of law and public freedoms,” said French foreign ministry spokesman Pascale Andreani on Wednesday.

“We, therefore, demand a lifting of the state of emergency and that elections be held according to the planned timetable,” he said.—AFP