Musharraf to visit Indonesia, Malaysia from Today
By Maria A Khan 'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: In continuation of his visit to the five Middle East countries, President General Pervez Musharraf will visit Indonesia and Malaysia on January 30-31.

The President will hold consultations with President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono of Indonesia and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Ahmed Badawi of Malaysia, a Foreign Office statement said here Monday.

“Pakistan, like other Muslim countries, is deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, specially Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq.”

“The spiralling violence in the region has the potential to destabilize the entire region. It is having direct impact on Muslim countries outside the region including Pakistan. We therefore cannot remain indifferent bystanders,” the statement said.

According to the statement, every leader the President has met or talked to shares his deep concerns and agrees on the urgent need for a strong new initiative on the Middle East situation, particularly the Palestine issue.

“There is also an urgent needs to address the challenge of terrorism and extremism and to bring harmony in the Muslim world”, the statement added.●