Bush phones Pakistan's Musharraf to reiterate backing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush offered renewed backing on Friday for Pakistan during a telephone call he made to its president, Pervez Musharraf, who was trying to quash rumors that he plans to leave office.

"The president reiterated the United States' strong support for Pakistan and he indicated he looked forward to President Musharraf's continuing role in further strengthening U.S.-Pakistani relations," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.

Late on Thursday, Musharraf denied a story in a Pakistani newspaper that said he had decided to quit. It was the latest speculation that Musharraf might resign since an election in February brought to power a coalition that would like to see him leave office sooner or later.

Bush met with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in Egypt earlier this month where the two pledged to fight terrorism. Pakistan has been a key U.S. ally as American forces try to hunt down al Qaeda leaders and Taliban militants along the country's border with Afghanistan.

(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky, editing by Frances Kerry)