Washington, Nov 21: US President George W Bush has said that President General Pervez Musharraf is a man of his word.

"So far, I've found him to be a man of his word," The news quoted Bush, as saying.

Bush said that it would be hard for him to argue that Musharraf is still trying to advance democracy if he doesn't lift emergency rule before the elections in Pakistan.

Bush said that Musharraf has been a loyal US ally in fighting terrorists, and added that the General has vowed to step down as Army Chief and has promised to hold parliamentary elections.

Bush also noted that Musharraf freed thousands of opponents from jails in a sign that he is rolling back a wave of repression under emergency rule he declared on November 3.

"The fundamental question I have for Musharraf is, 'Will these elections be under emergency rule or law?' Because if they are, it's going to be hard for — well, it'll be hard for those of us who have belief that he's advanced Pakistan's democracy to say that's, that's still the case," Bush said. (ANI)