BHUTTO SON'S WARNING OVER PAKISTAN

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who has returned to the UK to resume his studies, was named his mother's successor as chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) following her assassination 12 days ago.

He told a press conference in London: "I was called and I have stepped up."

But he asked the media to respect his privacy as he completes his studies at Oxford University before preparing for the role.

Bilawal described to reporters at a packed conference at a central London hotel how his mother's death had affected him, saying: "It has made me more resilient and I feel I really want to see democracy for Pakistan now."

He defended his party's decision to make him leader, saying simply: "This is how our party exercises leadership."

Reading from a prepared statement, he said: "Why have I become chairman of the Pakistan People's Party founded by my grandfather 40 years ago? The answer to this question is because it was recognised at this moment in crisis the party needed a close association with my mother through the bloodline. Also it was important to give hope to the new generation of Pakistanis who are looking not just to these elections but beyond.

"Politics is also in my blood. And although I admit that my experience to date is limited, I intend to learn."

He said his immediate priority was to return to Oxford to continue his studies, saying: "Unless I can finish my education and develop enough maturity, I recognise that I will never be in a position to have sufficient wisdom to enter the political arena."