Bush condemns 'cowardly' Bhutto assassination

CRAWFORD: US President George W Bush on Thursday strongly condemned the "cowardly" assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and urged the key US ally to stay on the democratic path.   

"The US strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy," Bush told hours after Bhutto was killed in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi.   

Speaking at his Texas ranch, Bush said he "urges" the Pakistanis to continue the democratic process that had been interrupted by six weeks of emergency rule. Elections are due to be held in the country on January 8.