LONDON, Aug 18: World leaders urged stability and unity in Pakistan — seen by the West as a key partner in fighting terrorism — as they reacted to news of Pervez Musharraf’s resignation as president.

Afghanistan, whose President Hamid Karzai has had strained relations with Musharraf, said it hoped the move would help strengthen the Pakistani government. “We hope that the resignation of President Musharraf... leads to a strengthening of the civilian government and democracy in Pakistan,” foreign ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Baheen said.

“Afghanistan is in favour of a democratic and stable Pakistan which is based on the rule of law.”

The Afghan government also described Musharraf as “not someone good for Afghanistan”. His departure would have a positive effect on the region, it added.

France — which holds the EU presidency — urged Pakistani politicians to respect the rule of law. Its foreign ministry said it had “taken note” of Musharraf’s resignation and “called on all Pakistani political players to respect the constitutional framework and rule of law”.

“We would like the next president and the Pakistani government to work together in a constructive climate and with respect for the institutions to address the many challenges facing Pakistan,” said a ministry spokesman.

The European Commission said Musharraf’s departure was “essentially a matter of internal politics”.

“There is not a lot to say; the European Commission considers the resignation of Pakistan President Musharraf as essentially a matter of internal politics in Pakistan,” a spokesman told reporters in Brussels.

Russia, a major player in Central Asian geopolitics, expressed the hope that Musharraf’s departure would not cause instability in Pakistan. “Russia hopes the departure of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will not have negative consequences for the internal political stability of this major Asian nation,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“We hope the situation in Pakistan will not break out of constitutional limits and will remain within the framework of law and order,” it added.

Germany said it expected the next Pakistani president to help bring stability in neighbouring Afghanistan, fight terrorism and bolster democracy, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

Stefan Bredohl told a news conference that it was “crucial” for the West to have a partner in Islamabad who contributed to regional peace and development.

In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said he expected no immediate change to the US-led “war on terror” after Musharraf’s departure. “What kind of changes does this bring to the ‘war on terror’ and the Afghan situation? I don’t expect any significant change for now,” Fukuda told reporters.

“I would expect different things would occur later. But it is not a time for us to make predictions and share them with you.”

Japan is a major donor to Pakistan, despite concerns about Islamabad’s nuclear arsenal, public unrest and its democratic process.

Bangladesh said the citizens of Pakistan would determine their country’s future. “The people of Pakistan should be in charge of their own political destiny and as the process evolves, we wish them well,” Foreign Minister Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said.—Agencies