Islamabad: French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner today said his country was ready to assist Pakistan in the investigations into the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

Talking to reporters during a visit to Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, where the Pakistan People's Party chairperson was killed during a suicide attack on December 27,Kouchner said, "The French government has offered assistance in the probe."

Kouchner, who laid a floral wreath at the site where Bhutto was attacked, appreciated Bhutto's struggle for the promotion of democracy in Pakistan. Noting that her services in the international arena would always be remembered, he said France wants the promotion of stability and democracy in Pakistan.

Responding to a question, he said he had offered assistance by French investigating agencies for the probe into Bhutto s killing during his meeting with President Pervez Musharraf and a decision would be taken by the Pakistani administration.

Kouchner said he had come to Pakistan to express solidarity with the government and people of the country after the tragic assassination of Bhutto. France is fighting international terrorism and has been strengthening its collaboration to fight terrorism in all its forms, he said. Terrorism is a global issue and need to be tackled through common efforts, he added.

Source : PTI