President General Pervez Musharraf and Jordanian King Abdullah-II on Tuesday called for an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and restoration of its sovereignty and stressed that durable peace in the Middle East could only be achieved through the resolution of the lingering Palestinian issue.
"It is essential that Israeli withdrawal and restoration of Lebanon sovereignty and integrity take place urgently so that the root cause of the recurring problems in the Middle East could be addressed," President Musharraf told reporters with King Abdullah after formal talks at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The two leaders agreed that there was an urgent need to put the peace process back on track to find an honourable solution of the Palestinian issue, which could only be achieved by ending Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.
They described their talks as very productive that covered a wide spectrum of bilateral as well as regional and international issues of concern and interest to the two countries.
"We have total consonance of views on regional and international issues, especially those concerning the Ummah," the President said after over 90 minutes long meeting with the King, who flew in here early in the day for a brief visit to discuss latest development in the region and further strengthening their multi-faceted bilateral ties.
President Musharraf emphasised on the international community, and more so on the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to extend generous help to both Lebanon and Palestine in their rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts.
King Abdullah lauded the positive efforts Pakistan had made in the region through its important membership in the OIC.
"Pakistan is indeed a strategic power in the Middle East and we would very much like to see Pakistan continue to play a key role in helping bring peace and security in the region."
President Musharraf while referring to the recent crisis in the Middle East said the crisis in Lebanon and Palestine, which impacted the region, was the primary focus of his discussion with the visiting King.
"Loss of a large number of innocent lives and massive destruction in Lebanon as a result of flagrant Israeli offensive has caused us a deep anguish and despair," he said.
The President hoped that the UN Security Council resolution 1701 "which partially meets the Lebanese concern, seriously addresses the issue of peace and security in the region and "provide the government of Lebanon and those hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese some respite to rebuild their country and their lives.
President Musharraf and the visiting King expressed satisfaction at the existing bilateral ties and agreed to further intensify their economic and political ties and providing a strategic dimension to them.
The President said they agreed on a multi-level strategic mechanism for forging closer bilateral relations. The two sides agreed to put in place such a mechanism with a series of meeting at the policy and working level very soon.
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