Bhutto posthumously awarded Peace Prize

Dublin, Jan 2: Assassinated ex-premier of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto will posthumously receive the Ireland"s Tipperary Peace Prize 2007. The award will be presented during the International Festival of Peace in Tipperary in April.

Benazir was recognised for her "courageous" work for democracy and reconciliation, said the Tipperary Peace Convention. Benazir fought all her battles through dialogue and political debate and was an example to all those who do not use or surrender to terrorism," it said in a statement. Her selection as Peace Prize recipient should act as an inspiration to those in Pakistan who seek to secure democracy and reconciliation for their country," it added.

The Convention said the accolade was to "recognise the very difficult path towards peace and democracy in Pakistan and the ultimate sacrifice made by Benazir in her campaign to put her country back on the road to democracy".

The award was founded in 1984 with the principal aim of giving recognition to those who promote the ideals of peace and peaceful co-operation in Ireland and abroad.

Previous recipients of this award include former South African president Mandela, ex Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, former US president Bill Clinton, Geldof and former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

ANI