ISLAMABAD, June 28: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said here on Friday that Pakistan will welcome third party intervention including Iran to resolve differences between India and Pakistan.

The secretary of the Iranian Supreme Council of National Security, Dr Hasan Rouhani, called on the president and discussed with him the latest situation in the region. He arrived in Islamabad after visiting India and left for Tehran later.

Informed sources said, Gen Musharraf told Dr Hasan that the Kashmir dispute could not be resolved bilaterally during the past 52 years and that now the international community should play its effective role to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries.

He said though Pakistan did not want war with India but it could not remain careless about its defence.

Dr Rouhani conveyed to President Musharraf the greetings and good wishes of the Iranian President, Syed Mohammad Khatami.

According to an announcement, the president apprised Dr Rouhani about the recent developments in the region. He was told that Pakistan had exercised maximum restraint and had taken only defensive measures. Pakistan believed in peace, de-escalation of tension and the resolution of all outstanding disputes through dialogue.

Dr Rouhani conveyed the concern of the government of Iran over the Pakistan-India stand-off which had led to the deterioration of the regional security. He stressed the need for the reduction of tension and the resumption of the Pakistan-India dialogue.