Bhutto's son named as successor

Asif Ali Zardari and his son Bilawal will lead the PPP together
Benazir Bhutto's 19-year-old son has been chosen to take over her Pakistan People's Party, alongside his father.

It is thought Bilawal Bhutto will take the role in a ceremonial capacity while he completes his studies at Oxford University in Britain.

Ms Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardawi, is expected to run the party on a day-to-day basis as co-chairman.

Meanwhile Pakistan's ruling party has said elections set for 8 January are likely to be delayed for several weeks.

Tariq Azim of the ruling PML-Q party said the vote would "lose credibility" if held under current conditions.

Opposition parties have been calling for a delay, amid widespread unrest and political disarray following the murder of Ms Bhutto.

Her political will was read out to leaders of her Pakistan People's Party at her home on Sunday, as they met to consider the PPP's future.

"It has been decided that Bilawal will be the chairman and Mr Zardari will be co-chairman," a party official told Reuters news agency.

He also said the party was overwhelmingly in favour of participating in elections, but had yet to take a formal decision, according to Reuters.

BBC