Gen turns to Africa for help on Kashmir

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has asked North African Arab countries to urge India to enter into a meaningful dialogue with it for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue.

Musharraf ‘‘hoped that Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) would use their good offices to urge India to enter into a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan to ensure peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute’’.

In an interview to Arabic daily Ashraq Al-Awsat, Musharraf, who just concluded his tour of the three countries, hoped that these nations ‘‘will extend their support to Pakistan’s endeavours to resolve the Kashmir issue’’.

On the West Asia front, the Pakistan President said he had not held any contacts with the Israelis.