Washington: Condemning the assassination bids on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, United States has said the repeated attempts on his life demonstrated that Islamabad faced serious problems from terrorists.

"These attacks further demonstrate that Pakistan faces serious problems with extremists and - we stand ready, as always, to assist Pakistanis in confronting this threat," US State Department Deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said yesterday (Dec 29, 2003).

Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke to Musharraf on Friday (Dec 26, 2003) and "expressed our great relief at his safety and well-being", he said.

Musharraf had escaped unhurt on Thursday when suspected suicide bombers on cars filled with explosives tried to hit his motorcade killing 15 people in Rawalpindi.

Powell also expressed condolences for the loss of lives and reiterated US' strong support for Pakistan's efforts in the war on terror, Ereli added.

The US and Pakistan are allies in the war on terror, Ereli said, adding that the countries continue to work closely and productively in fighting the threat of terrorism, "which endangers us all equally".

Musharraf had escaped from another apparent attempt on his life on December 14 when a powerful bomb went off minutes after his motorcade passed over a bridge in Rawalpindi.