LONDON: British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Saturday he had "no evidence to contradict" Pakistani claims linking Benazir Bhutto’s death to Al-Qaeda.
Speaking to reporters outside the Pakistan High Commission in London after signing a book of condolence for her, he added that while elections could still go ahead there next month, this was a matter for the parties involved.
"We have no evidence to contradict the reports that are coming out of Pakistan," he said.
"Obviously it’s very important that a full investigation does take place that has the full confidence of all concerned."
Asked about the viability of polls, he said: "I think the elections could take place on the 8th of January but whether they will take place is a matter for the political parties in Pakistan, critically the decision of the PPP (Pakistan People’s Party).
"The message that I want to give today is that after 48 hours of real grief over this terrible tragedy, the next 48 hours need to be a time of unity and responsibility."
Miliband also pledged that the British government would make "full resources" available to Pakistan to help with the investigation into Bhutto’s death.
Pakistan’s interior ministry has, though, ruled out international help, saying that the world community "does not understand the environment" in the country.
The government has said that Bhutto died after banging her head on the sunroof of her vehicle while trying to duck bullets before a huge suicide blast.
It has also said it intercepted a call from Al-Qaeda’s top leader in Pakistan congratulating a militant on Bhutto’s death.
Asked about the security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons amid the unrest following the killing, Miliband said: "We have seen nothing to suggest that the very careful procedures that are in place for the guarding of the nuclear arsenal have been compromised."