As opposition parties took steps to form a coalition government in Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf [Images] pledged to work with the new Parliament, saying it is time for government leaders to "work together."

"I stand ready to work with the newly elected Parliament," Musharraf said in an opinion piece in the influential Washington Post, a day after the two main opposition groups, Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League-N, agreed to join hands.

Musharraf's remarks came two days after the White House said it hoped the new Parliament would continue to work with Musharraf, giving its backing to the embattled fomer general.

Stating that "Pakistan's transition to democracy is essential to achieving reconciliation among our people", Musharraf said, "The people of Pakistan on Monday demonstrated that willingness; now it is time for government leaders to work together and do our part."

"As history has shown, a peaceful transition to democracy requires the leadership of government and the willingness of the population to embrace democratic ideals," he said.

Musharraf, a key ally in the US-led "war on terror", wrote that Pakistan required continued American support to defeat terrorism, forge a stable government and create the foundation for economic growth.

"We will continue to work closely with our longtime American allies in our common struggle to rid Pakistan and the world of militant extremism," he stressed. However, he reminded the US that "building democracy is difficult in the best of conditions".

The PPP and PML-N crushed Musharraf's allies in Monday's parliamentary elections.