U.S. welcomes Musharraf offer to end emergency rule

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Thursday it was pleased that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said he would lift emergency rule next month.

"We saw the report and of course our embassy officials have been in touch with the Musharraf government. We welcome this step," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Musharraf said in an address to his nation that he was "determined" to end the emergency on December 16.

(Reporting by Caren Bohan; Editing by John O'Callaghan)