ANKARA - Turkey, a close ally of Pakistan, condemned Thursday the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and urged Islamabad not to stray from the path of democracy.
The killing "undoubtedly aims to draw Pakistan into chaos and instability," a foreign ministry statement said.
"We believe the people of Pakistan will act with common sense and will not allow acts of terrorism ... to destroy the democratization process in the country," it added.
The statement called on Pakistan's political leaders to "unite forces against terrorism and extremism" and pledged Ankara's contribution to efforts to establish peace and stability.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who met Bhutto during a visit to Pakistan earlier this month, called for the international community to assist Pakistan in this "critical" time as it prepares for parliamentary elections, the Anatolia news agency reported.
"Pakistan is going through a critical period," Gul was quoted as saying. "They should own up to their country and make sure there is no more bloodshed. Everyone should help Pakistan."
Bhutto was assassinated in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi on Thursday, just two months after she returned from exile for a political comeback. Sixteen other people were killed and 56 wounded.
Pakistan has had close ties to Turkey since the South Asian nation's formation 60 years ago, with the countries often running cultural exchange programmes.
han/stu
12/27/2007 16:26 GMT