ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in a message to Heads of State of Egypt and Syria assured them of Pakistan’s solidarity in the “heroic struggle” of the Arab armed forces for the liberation of the Arab occupied territories. In the message … the Prime Minister earnestly prayed that the just cause of the Arab people will triumph in the end. … [P]rime Minister Bhutto said in his message: “… I wish to assure Your Excellency of the solidarity of the Government and the people of Pakistan with you and your people in this grave hour. …” — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Peking,] Chinese Foreign Minister Chi Peng-fei today [Oct 8] “condemned with the greatest possible emphasis …. Israeli aggression against Egypt, Syria, and the Palestinian resistance. …” Speaking “in the name of the Chinese Government and people”, he expressed China’s “firm support” for the struggle of the Arab and Palestinian people. … In Moscow, Soviet Communist Party Chairman Leonid Brezhnev spoke today of the Soviet Union’s “sympathy” for Egypt and Syria.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2023