BAKU, July 9: President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday called for closing of fronts against Muslims and stressed that political issues concerning the Ummah must be resolved with justice to ensure global peace and harmony.

"When we talk of resolution of political disputes we feel that too many fronts, all involving Muslims, have been opened. It is time to be closing fronts now," he said, while addressing Milli Majlis, the national parliament of Azerbaijan.

Gen Musharraf observed that Muslim nations were perceived as sponsors of terrorism and Muslims in the West were subjected to discrimination and exclusion. As a consequence, he maintained, there was deep anger in the Muslim world which was manifesting itself in diverse forms of militancy and extremism.

He regretted that uprisings which started as genuine freedom movements were getting corrupted at the hands of 'misled terrorists'. "The most unfortunate part is that those involved in such acts of terrorism are all Muslims, causing irreparable damage to Muslim countries.

They have killed hundreds, if not thousands, of Muslims following the misperceived interpretation of jihad. "They (militants) must realize that their methods can never resolve problems of the Islamic world."

President Musharraf appealed the extremists to return to sanity and follow a prudent course to overcome the difficulties facing the Ummah. "Muslim Ummah must join hands to defeat the nefarious designs of this very misled few." To achieve the objective, the president mentioned the strategy of 'enlightened moderation'.

He also called upon the West, particularly the USA, to resolve all political disputes involving Muslims with justice and help the Muslim world achieve socio-economic development. "This appears to be the only strategy which could end up as win-win for all."

POLITICAL DISPUTES: Referring to the Palestine dispute, the president said it must be resolved with justice. "Pakistan stands for the acceptance of the reality of Israel within its pre-1967 boundaries, as also (for) the creation of a sovereign state of Palestine, living side by side, in peace.

"If the world has to succeed in striking at the roots of extremism, militancy and terrorism, the Israel-Palestine dispute must be resolved. Failure or status quo can no more be accepted as an option."

On Iraq, he said the international approach to the country's future must be guided by the objective of restoring Iraq's sovereignty and political independence. Speaking about Kashmir, the president said the issue had been festering for decades.

"We are glad that the reality of its peaceful and amicable solution has been accepted by both Pakistan and India as also by the people of Kashmir. "We believe that sincerity towards its final resolution, flexibility from maximalist positions and boldness against extremist views can lead us to its harmonious solution and to ultimate peace in the disturbed South Asia region.

"This also will contribute in no small way to tempering down militancy and extremism. The dual channels of confidence-building measures and the dialogue process need to be pursued simultaneously, sincerely and vigorously by both India and Pakistan for the sake of the socio-economic uplift of the deprived masses of South Asia."

He expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by the government and people of Azerbaijan for their Kashmiri brethren. "Your constant and unequivocal support has been a source of strength for Pakistan and the Kashmiri people."

Gen Musharraf said Azerbaijan and Pakistan must step up their efforts to strengthen the Economic Cooperation Organization as it represents an important vehicle for expansion of trade and commercial relations.

"As fast growing economies and democracies, both Pakistan and Azerbaijan stand as stable conduit for secure transit for vital energy required by the West and the East."

Extending Pakistan's support to Azerbaijan on the Nagorno Karabakh issue, he said: "We believe that Azerbaijan's sovereignty and control over all its territories, including Nagorno Karabakh, must be restored."

He assured the august house that the govt and the people of Pakistan stood firmly by their side in their endeavour for a just and fair settlement of this conflict. Regarding Afghanistan, the president said that respect for sovereignty of the country remained the corner-stone of Pakistan's foreign Policy.

President Musharraf said Pakistan desired peace and stability - domestically, regionally and globally. Unfortunately, he added, the world today is torn by turmoil, turbulence and uncertainty.

"Political problems needing political solutions have acquired religious and cultural overtones. The gulf between the West and Islamic world is widening. "Each perceives the other to be a threat to its vital interests. Some predict a clash of civilizations. We must avert this and build a global community infused with the spirit of peace and harmony." -APP