ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz said on Saturday that terrorists were enemies of Islam since they were working against the religious teachings.

Speaking at a state banquet hosted in his honour by President Gen Pervez Musharraf here, he said both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were victims of terrorism.

The Saudi prince, however, expressed the hope that the terrorists would not succeed in their efforts at defaming Islam. He thanked the government and the people of Pakistan for giving him a rousing welcome.

He said the Islamic world wanted durable relations with other countries, and that there should be peace and justice in the world.

He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were friends because of religious and cultural background. He stressed the need for greater cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

In his welcome address, President Gen Pervez Musharraf asked the world to find political solutions to the disputes concerning the Muslim world to curb terrorism on a permanent basis.

He said the ongoing war against terrorism was a short-term solution to the problem, and the time had come to make serious efforts at resolving disputes related to the Muslims around the world.

Gen Musharraf termed the Palestinian issue the “biggest challenge” for the Muslim world. He said Prince Abdullah presented a roadmap for durable peace in the Middle East, but Israel was creating hurdles in its implementation. He asked the world to take notice of the Israeli atrocities.

The president said Pakistan wanted an effective UN role in Iraq. He said Pakistan desired that the control of the country be immediately handed over to the people of Iraq.

He said the Kashmir issue was the main hurdle in the normalization of relations between Pakistan and India. Pakistan wanted to resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with the United Nations resolution and as per the wishes of the Kashmiris.

He said Pakistan wanted a meaningful dialogue with India on all issues but the latter had always found pretexts to avoid negotiations. He also urged the world to press India to start talks with Pakistan.

Gen Musharraf also expressed his concern over the growing military ties between Israel and India.

On Afghanistan issue, he said Pakistan supported the Bonn Process and desired that the security forces stayed there till the restoration of peace. He said Pakistan was cooperating with the Afghan government in various sectors.

He said both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had common viewpoints on important regional and international issues. He praised the efforts of Saudi Arabia for sustainable peace in the world and in the region. He said the Islamic world considered Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as important parts of the Ummah.

He said both the countries had suggested similar steps in the recently-held OIC summit to steer the Ummah out of the present challenges and difficulties. The solutions they presented were workable, he added.

The president particularly praised the role played by Crown Prince Abdullah in the OIC summit. He expressed the hope that the crown prince’s visit would strengthen the bonds of friendship.

Gen Musharraf said the Pakistani government and the people wanted to see a prosperous Saudi Arabia under the leadership of King Fahad and Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.