Emergency rule for democracy- Pakistan's Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (Reuters) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said today he imposed emergency rule to help complete the transition from military to civilian-led democracy, and appealed to the international community to be understanding.

Musharraf, whose emergency rule proclamation today cited rising militancy and a hostile judiciary, said Pakistan needed time to reach the level of democracy enjoyed by the West.

''Please do not expect or demand your level of democracy which you learned over a number of centuries. Please give us time,'' he said in a pre-recorded televised address.

REUTERS PBB AS0120