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Bhutto widower Zardari elected Pakistani president By The Associated Press ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Benazir Bhutto's widower swept Pakistan's presidential election yesterday, offering hope for stability to a nuclear-armed country flirting with economic disaster and feeling intense U.S. pressure to crack down on Islamic militants. In a grim reminder of the problems awaiting Asif Ali Zardari, while his supporters celebrated by brandishing portraits of his slain wife, rescuers in the northwest dug with their hands for survivors after at least 30 people died in a massive suicide bombing. Advertisement Already head of the main ruling party, Zardari becomes one of the most powerful civilian leaders in Pakistan's turbulent 61-year history. Last month, he marshaled a coalition that forced stalwart U.S. ally Pervez Musharraf to quit as head of state. However, he begins with limited goodwill among a population who recall his nickname, Mr. Ten Percent, for alleged corruption during Bhutto's two terms in office and doubt his political vision and leadership skills. He is also untested on the international stage, where he must deal with mounting Western concern over how Taliban and al-Qaida militants have nested in the tribal belt along the Afghan border. Zardari has surprised many with his ability to concentrate power since his wife was killed in a December gun-and-bomb attack blamed on Taliban militants and he inherited her party's leadership. Zardari has said he will relinquish some of the power accumulated by Musharraf, saying yesterday: "Parliament is sovereign. This president shall be subservient to the parliament." However, he has not made clear how far he will go, sustaining concern that one would-be strongman is replacing another. Meanwhile, officials and witnesses in Peshawar said a pickup truck packed with explosives demolished a security checkpoint on the edge of the city yesterday, killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens more. No one immediately claimed responsibility. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Interfaith grandchildren A new group is helping U.S. seniors teach their interfaith grandkids Jewish traditions. Iranian war games Iran army to hold three-day drill amid speculation over Israeli strike.

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