Pakistanis began voting Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and questions about the political survival of President Pervez Musharraf .

Musharraf was re-elected last October to a new five-year term, but the retired general faces growing public anger over his moves last year to declare emergency rule, purge the judiciary and curb independent media.

The parliamentary elections are broadly seen as a referendum on his eight years of rule - including his alliance with the United States that many Pakistanis oppose. An overwhelming victory by the opposition would leave Musharraf politically vulnerable, even at risk of impeachment.

 The vote takes place against the backdrop of escalating Taliban militancy that has spread from volatile tribal regions near the Afghan border to major cities. Violent rivalry between political parties also stalks elections in Pakistan. Before voting began Mo... Read more »

While on a visit to Tanzania, Mr Bush signed a $698m deal with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikweteto to reduce poverty. The deal will help improve roads, power and water supplies and comes as part of the Millennium Challenge compact, which makes grants to countries which stick to democratic principles and sound economic policies.

Mr Bush also wants to allay concerns about a new military command he wants to base in Africa to work with African militaries to deal with trafficking or terror. So far, Liberia is the only nation to have offered to host the US base. There are already some 1,700 US troops in Djibouti.