Russia, US condemn Bhutto assassination

MOSCOW/ WASHINGTON: Russia and the US on Thursday condemned the killing of Pakistan's opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and called on the authorities to ensure stability in the country.
   
"We firmly condemn this terrorist act, we express our condolences to Benazir Bhutto's relatives and loved ones and we hope that the Pakistani leadership will manage to take necessary steps to ensure stability in the country," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin was quoted as saying.
    
Deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey could not confirm that Bhutto had been killed in the bombing in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi.
    
But he said: "We obviously condemn the attack that shows that there are people out there who are trying to disrupt the building of democracy in Pakistan."