FACTBOX: Reactions to Pakistan's emergency rule

(Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday, deploying troops and sacking a top judge in a bid to reassert his flagging authority against political rivals and Islamist militants.

Below is some of the national and international reaction.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE:

She criticized the measures as "highly regrettable".

"The U.S. has made very clear that it does not support extra-constitutional measures as they would take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule."

"We will be urging the commitment to hold free and fair elections be kept and we will be urging calm on all parties."

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT:

"The United States is deeply disturbed by reports that Pakistani President Musharraf has taken extra-constitutional actions and has imposed a state of emergency."

"A state of emergency would be a sharp setback for Pakistani democracy and takes Pakistan off the path toward civilian rule."