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Iraqi FM meets Musharraf, discusses security, elections
ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 : Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, currently visiting Pakistan, met President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday and discussed bilateral cooperation, security and next month's elections in his country, an official confirmed.
But the official did not give any details as to what was discussed. He said Foreign Ministry will issue later today.
“The two sides discussed Pakistan's possible role in Iraq's reconstruction and President Musharraf wished for return of early peace and stability to Iraq,” sources said.
Zebari is scheduled to hold official talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Khursheed Kasuri, and expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday, the sources said.
Pakistan opposed US-led attack on Iraq in March 2003 and has so far ruled out U.S requests for sending 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.
President Musharraf was quoted as offering to impart training to the Iraqi national army.
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 Defence 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.
"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.