LONDON, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Britain wishes to "continue to deepen" its security cooperation with Pakistan, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Monday after Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation.

　　Miliband said in a statement that it was "essential" to deepen bilateral security cooperation and to continue fighting terrorism.

　　Miliband called Pakistan "a vital friend" of Britain and said: "It is important to highlight President Musharraf's commitment to tackle terrorism, to promote dialogue with India, especially over Kashmir, and to root out corruption."

　　"We will continue to deepen our security cooperation with the new government," the foreign secretary said.

　　Earlier, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said there has been "a deepening" of Britain-Pakistan relations.

　　"Our relations are not dependent on one individual. We support any measures which support democracy and the rule of law," the spokesman said.