"Today, I thought was a pretty good signal that he released thousands of people from jail," Bush told ABC television in an interview from the Camp David presidential retreat not far from Washington.

"Are we happy with the emergency rule? No, we're not. Do we, do I understand how important he is in fighting extremists and radicals? I do. And do I believe that he's going to end up getting Pakistan back on the road to democracy? I certainly hope so," said the US president.

Bush renewed his call for Musharraf to end the crackdown he launched November 3; hold elections as soon as possible; and quit as army chief is he is going to serve as Pakistan's president.

"He has said he's going to take off his uniform, he's said there will be elections. Today he released prisoners, and so far I've found him to be a man of his word," said Bush.

The US president also said that Musharraf "hasn't crossed the line" where he would lose Washington's support, and added "I don't think that he will cross any lines. I think he truly is somebody who believes in democracy."

Asked whether he was confident that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal was safe from Islamic extremists, Bush replied: "I certainly hope so. We feel pretty comfortable at this moment in time."

"And of course we'll pay very close attention to, to any, country that has got nuclear weapons. And, but yeah, I feel good about it right now," said the president.

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