Supporters of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) light fireworks to celebrate the victory of Asif Ali Zardari, widower of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto, in the presidential election in Karachi yesterday. Photo: AFP

Leaders in Western countries and neighbours Iran and Afghanistan congratulated Pakistan's new president Asif Ali Zardari upon his election Saturday.
In Washington, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said US President George W. Bush "looks forward to working with him, Prime Minister (Yousuf Raza) Gilani, and the government of Pakistan on issues important to both countries."
Thoseinclude "counterter-rorism and making sure Pakistan has a stable and secure economy."
Britain, from which Pakistan won independence 61 years ago, pledged to work closely with Zardari to promote stability and fight the "shared threat of violent extremism" in the country, a key ally of the West.
In a statement hours after lawmakers voted Zardari into office, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he looked "forward to working closely with president Zardari to further deepen our partnership with Pakistan."
"We want to work with the government to support measures that promote stability, democracy and the rule of law and strengthen the democratic transition," Miliband added.
From Brussels, the European Union urged Pakistan's new leader to help ease security concerns in the region.
France, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, called for "an easing of tensions in the region and encourages the Pakistani authorities to make a decisive contribution to regional stability."
The French EU presidency "encourages in particular Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and assures the new president that it will continue to support him on that path," a statement said.
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said: "I trust that under your presidency the government will implement appropriate policies to meet the important economic and security challenges the country is currently facing."
He said the commission would work with Pakistan to help meet the challenges.