Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf prepared for talks yesterday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy after urging Europe to stand by his crisis-ridden country and promising free and fair elections.
Musharraf dismissed fears yesterday that his nuclear-armed country could slip into al-Qaeda's hands, saying there was a "zero percent chance" of a takeover by Islamic extremists.
Addressing a French foreign policy institute ahead of talks with President Nicolas Sarkozy, on day two of a European tour, Musharraf insisted it was impossible for extremists to gain access to Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
The only way for that to happen, he said, would be if al-Qaeda and the Taliban "defeated the Pakistani army entirely" or if extremist religious groups won next month's election.
"There is a zero percent chance of either one of them," Musharraf said. "They (the weapons) cannot fall into any wrong hands."
Months of turmoil culminating in the assassination last month of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto crystallised fears in the West that Pakistan risks spinning out of control.
Musharraf, who arrived in Paris late Monday from Brussels on the second leg of a four-country European haul, called on Europe to back -- not criticise -- his regime as it stood in the forefront of the fight against terrorism.
"We are determined to hold free, fair and transparent elections, and peaceful elections" on February 18, he said earlier in Brussels.
"Whoever wins, obviously power will be handed over to them," said Musharraf. "There is no possibility of it being rigged."
The former military ruler came with his economy and finance ministers, but EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana was cautious about future cooperation.
"The elections have to be fair, free and secure, which is also very important," Solana said after the two men talked over lunch.
"Our reaction on cooperation and the level of engagement will be in view of the result of the process," he added.
During an address at the European parliament later, Musharraf reiterated his call for backing.
"Pakistan is in the forefront of fighting terrorism, so help us instead of criticising us," he urged during an audience with the parliament's foreign affairs committee.
Pakistan's turbulent politics was thrown into chaos last month by the murder of opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, which sparked violence and led to the general election being postponed.
Musharraf dismissed fears yesterday that his nuclear-armed country could slip into al-Qaeda's hands, saying there was a "zero percent chance" of a takeover by Islamic extremists.
Addressing a French foreign policy institute ahead of talks with President Nicolas Sarkozy, on day two of a European tour, Musharraf insisted it was impossible for extremists to gain access to Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
The only way for that to happen, he said, would be if al-Qaeda and the Taliban "defeated the Pakistani army entirely" or if extremist religious groups won next month's election.
"There is a zero percent chance of either one of them," Musharraf said. "They (the weapons) cannot fall into any wrong hands."
Months of turmoil culminating in the assassination last month of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto crystallised fears in the West that Pakistan risks spinning out of control.
Musharraf, who arrived in Paris late Monday from Brussels on the second leg of a four-country European haul, called on Europe to back -- not criticise -- his regime as it stood in the forefront of the fight against terrorism.
"We are determined to hold free, fair and transparent elections, and peaceful elections" on February 18, he said earlier in Brussels.
"Whoever wins, obviously power will be handed over to them," said Musharraf. "There is no possibility of it being rigged."
The former military ruler came with his economy and finance ministers, but EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana was cautious about future cooperation.
"The elections have to be fair, free and secure, which is also very important," Solana said after the two men talked over lunch.
"Our reaction on cooperation and the level of engagement will be in view of the result of the process," he added.
During an address at the European parliament later, Musharraf reiterated his call for backing.
"Pakistan is in the forefront of fighting terrorism, so help us instead of criticising us," he urged during an audience with the parliament's foreign affairs committee.
Pakistan's turbulent politics was thrown into chaos last month by the murder of opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, which sparked violence and led to the general election being postponed.
