Washington, Dec 29 : US State Department deputy spokesperson Tom Casey has said that the Bush Administration would not oppose a short postponement of January 8 parliamentary elections in Pakistan provided all political parties in that country give a nod to it.

Casey also said that the US "believes it is important that the political process, the process of developing Pakistan's democracy, continue."

US President George Bush, who is on vacation, told his national security team that they must support democracy in Pakistan.

"The president told his senior national security team that the United States needs to support democracy in Pakistan and help Pakistan in its struggle against extremism and terrorism," The News quoted spokesman Scott Stanzel, as saying.

Underlining the importance of keeping the democratic reform alive in Pakistan, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: "The way to honor her (Benazir) memory is to continue the democratic process in Pakistan, so that the democracy that she so hoped for will be completed."

The State Department’s teams are in close contact with representatives of the "broad political spectrum."

Meanwhile, reports are coming in that the Election Commission of Pakistan is considering a postponement of the elections. (ANI)