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	Protesters shout slogans in favor of military government and Chief Executive of Pakistan General Pervaiz Musharraf as the Pakistani politicians arrive at a hotel in Lahore, Sunday, August 6, 2000. Leaders of 45 political parties gathered to demand an end to military rule in the country. The man on posters protesters hold is Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf. (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)

August 7, 2000 

LAHORE (AP) - In a show of support for the current military government, more than 400 people threw eggs and tomatoes at discredited politicians as they met Sunday to demand an end to military rule in the country.

"Down with thieves and plunderers," the protesters shouted outside a hotel where leaders of 45 political parties gathered.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Pakistan's two deposed prime ministers and one time archrivals - Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, who has pleaded with political parties to work for Pakistan's return to democracy.

Sharif, who was thrown out of power last October in a bloodless military coup, is serving two concurrent life terms on charges of hijacking and terrorism. He was also convicted on tax evasion charges last month and sentenced to an additional 14 years.

Bhutto, who was convicted of graft and sentenced to five years in jail during Sharif's government, is living in London to escape arrest.

Protesters shout and throw tomatoes and eggs at discredited Pakistani politicians in a show of support for the current military government, as the politicians arrive at a hotel in Lahore, Sunday, August 6, 2000. Leaders of 45 political parties gathered to demand an end to military rule in the country. (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)

"We want the army to return to barracks," said Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan of the Pakistan Democratic Party, which failed to win a single seat in the last elections.

"Democracy is essential for Pakistan's survival," he told reporters before the start of the meeting. "Only an elected government can solve the problems faced by Pakistan."

But Rana Khursheed, one of the protesters, said that the "failed and corrupt politicians are wailing for democracy because the army has stopped their corruption."

"We want ruthless accountability of all of them," he said.

Army ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf - who accused Sharif of abusing his power, plundering national wealth and creating an economic disaster - has vowed to cleanse the country's politics of corruption before holding elections, a decision widely welcomed by the people.

The Supreme Court has given the military-led government three years to complete the task and then return the country to democracy.