Pakistani president consults Muslim countries on Mideast peace initiative

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's visit to Muslim countries, particularly the neighbors of Palestine, was basically meant to exchange ideas and suggestions with their leaders for a new and strong initiative to find peaceful solution to the Middle East crisis, the foreign office said Tuesday.

Speaking at a weekly media briefing, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said Musharraf's consultations covered also the turmoil in Iraq and the overall situation in the region.

She said that presently Musharraf was talking only with the Muslim leaders, and when the Muslim countries get a new initiative, discussions will be held with other concerned parties and countries.

Replying to a question about any time frame for Musharraf's efforts, the spokesperson said that there was no time frame. However, due to the aggravated situation in the Middle East, Pakistan hoped that these efforts should be materialized as soon as possible.

Source: Xinhua