The son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto called on Tuesday for an UN-sponsored investigation into her slaying.

"The family's and party's request is for an UN-sponsored investigation, because we do not believe that an investigation under the authority of the Pakistan government has the necessary transparency," Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told a news conference.

"Already so much forensic evidence has been destroyed," he said.

Bilawal Bhutto was named as his mother's successor as chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) following the opposition leader's assassination in the eastern Pakistani city of Rawalpindi, some 30 km south of the capital Islamabad, on Dec. 27.

The 19-year-old Zardari, a law student at Oxford University, also said he wanted to continue his studies before starting his political career, and he urged the media to leave him alone while he studies.

"Although I admit that my experience to date is limited, I intend to learn," he said, adding "However, my immediate priority is to return to Oxford to continue my studies."

"When I am at Oxford I hope I can be left alone," he said, adding that his father would be in charge of the party during his absence.

British police are now in Pakistan to assist the probe into Bhutto's assassination in a suicide attack that also killed over 20 people and wounded dozens more.

Bhutto's death triggered turmoil in Pakistan and postponed the elections slated for January.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2008)