Islamabad, Nov 3 : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today urged the Western countries, particularly the US, the European Union and the Common Wealth Nations to understand the situation that led him to impose the martial law in the country.

Stating that his action of imposing emergency was imperative as his country was going on a downslide, Musharraf urged the Western powers to give him more time to restore democracy in his country.

Please do not demand your level of human rights and civilities, Musharraf said, pointing that the West's present democracy has taken hundreds of years to evolve.

"Please give us time," Musharraf pleaded, and quoted Abraham Lincoln's words to justify himself in his pre-recorded televised address to the nation. (ANI)