Pakistani interim government sworn in

Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf swore in a caretaker government on Friday and declared he had "introduced the essence of democracy" in the country.

Mohammedmian Soomo, a government loyalist and former Senate chairman, wassworn in as interim prime minister. Hiscaretaker ministry is charged with guiding Pakistan throughparliamentary elections, which are scheduled to be held by Jan. 9.

During the installation ceremony in the country's capital, Islamabad, Musharraf told the outgoing parliament it should be proud that it improved the economy and moved the country back toward democracy during its five-year term.

'I have actually introduced the essence of democracy in Pakistan.' — President Gen. Pervez Musharraf

"I take pride in the fact that, being a man in uniform, I have actually introduced the essence of democracy in Pakistan, whether anyone believes it or not,"said Musharraf, who declared a state of emergency on Nov. 3. Thedeclaration barredall rallies and protests and blacked out independent media reports.

Musharraf insists that the emergency rule measures were necessary to ensure fair elections and to strengthen the fight against Islamic militants.

He has said that the state of emergency, and his presidency,will persist until the elections.

Musharrafsaid Wednesday that he would relinquish his role as army chief by the end of November.

Critics argue that Musharraf declared the state of emergency to block a top court ruling, which could have denied his plans to serve another presidential term.

U.S. envoy arrives in Pakistan

Also on Friday, an envoy from the United States arrived in Pakistan to urge the end of emergency rule. The U.S. has said that the elections cannot be fair unless restrictions on the opposition and the media end.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte arrived in Islamabad midday local time Friday. While details of his schedule were not immediately released, the State Department said Negroponte expected to meet "with whomever he wants to see," including Musharraf and opposition politicians.

"Our message is that we want to work with the government and people of Pakistan and the political actors in Pakistan to put the political process back on track as soon as possible," Negroponte said during an earlier stop in Africa.

Bhutto's house arrest ends

Police said Friday the three-day house arrest of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was lifted overnight. The two-time former prime minister has urged fellow opposition leaders to join her and form an alliance to govern until the parliamentary elections.

Bhutto returned from exile in October and was detainedTuesday to prevent her from leading a protest against the declaration of a state of emergency.

Guards and barricades remained for Bhutto's own protection, but she was free to move around, said senior police official Zahid Abbas.

Asma Jehangir, head of Pakistan's main human rights organization and a former U.N. official, was also released from house arrest Friday.