Blair Welcmes Musharraf's Condemnation of Terrorism

British Prime Minister Tony Blair applauded Pakistani President Musharraf's condemnation of terrorism and hoped India would "respond positively" to the message, the Downing Street office said on Sunday.

"We welcome President Musharraf's outright condemnation and rejection of terrorism in all its forms and his pledge to deal very firmly with anyone committing terrorist acts from inside Pakistan," a spokesman for the British prime minister said.

"We applaud his courageous and forceful defense of a tolerant and moderate Islam and condemnation of all forms of sectarianism and religious hatred," he added.

Blair visited India and Pakistan and met their leaders earlier this month in an effort to urge the two neighboring countries to resolve tensions between them through diplomatic and peaceful means.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2002)