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Pakistan supports Iraq`s territorial integrity: Musharraf

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Dec 20, IRNA -- Pakistan`s President Pervez Musharraf on 
Monday told the visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari that 
Islamabad supports the territorial integrity and national sovereignty 
of Iraq. 
"Pakistan sincerely desires that the sufferings of brotherly Iraqi
people should end," an official statement quoted General Musharraf as 
telling Zebari. 
Towards that end, he added, Pakistan endorses the Iraqi government
and UN efforts to hold fair elections resulting in a representational 
national government with the participation of all communities. 
"This was the only way to ensure an independent and prosperous 
Iraq in which all segments of society would live in peace and 
harmony," Musharraf was quoted as saying. 
Zebari arrived here on Sunday and held official talks with his 
Pakistani counterpart, Khursheed Kasuri. He is expected to meet Prime 
Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday. 
Pakistan opposed US-led attack on Iraq in March 2003 and has so 
far ruled out US requests to send troops to the war-shattered country.
President Musharraf, during his visit to Britain early this month 
called upon the US-led forces to chalk out plan for early departure 
from Iraq by training local troops more quickly. 
A Pakistani diplomat, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, was appointed by the 
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as his special representative in Iraq 
in July. 
Zebari, is the first foreign minister of the interim Iraqi 
government to visit Pakistan. Iraqi defense minister visited Pakistan 
last month. 
"Iraq is passing through a difficult time and the Government of 
Pakistan wishes peace and stability there," Pakistan Foreign Ministry 
said in a statement prior to Zebari`s arrival. 
"Pakistan continues to watch the situation in Iraq with great 
interest and hopes this visit would further strengthen the ties 
between the two brotherly countries for their mutual benefit," the 
statement said. 
TK/TSH/1430/2322/1432