The president also held talks with French officials, including his counterpart, Jacques Chirac.

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin praised Mr Musharraf's efforts to fight terrorism, but called on Islamabad to commute the death sentences given to three Islamic militants for their part in killing 11 French technicians in Pakistan last year.

Commenting on relations with India, Mr Musharraf said he believes that a balance of conventional weapons between the two countries would help relieve tensions over Kashmir.