Pakistani PM calls for comprehensive strategy to resolve Mideast crisis

Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday called for a comprehensive strategy to solve the problems including Palestine issue, violence in Iraq, instability in Lebanon and dispute over Iran's nuclear program.

During the World Economic Forum on the Middle East, which was opened here on Friday, Aziz urged the international community to address the issues through a comprehensive and integrated manner.

"The first and foremost strategy was to resolve the internal and external disputes that existed in the region," said Aziz, adding that there must be an end to all external interference and the people in the region must be enabled to address and resolve their problems.

The conflicts like Palestine dispute, Iraq war and instability in Lebanon were breeding extremism and terrorism in the world, he said.

He also stressed that it is necessary to promote socio-economic development to focus on reducing poverty and providing greater educational facilities.

"Long term progress of Middle Eastern region will depend on developing excellence in the areas of science and technology", he added.

Source: Xinhua