"We need a combined, stronger voice to influence all players involved in the disputes," Musharraf told reporters at a news conference here at the culmination of his whirlwind tour of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and United Arab Emirates to seek a solution to the Middle East crisis.
The President said his visit was in continuation of his consultations with the Arab countries with an objective to seek reconciliation, rather than confrontation, to develop consensus and to avert the dangers confronting the Muslim world. About consultations with the Arab leaders, he said they all expressed concern over the looming dangers, which have the potential of engulfing the region and posing serious threat to the global peace.
The President pointed out that Lebanon was mired in conflict. "There are visible sectarian undertones, causing concern to the entire Muslim world." The Palestinian situation has taken a new turn with tensions between Hamas and Fateh, he said. "If flames in this region are not checked, these could engulf the entire region and the world," President Musharraf warned.
He said there was a consensus and the leaders agreed to undertake responsibility in a pragmatic and forceful manner in the direction of reconciliation. To a question, the President said the grave and dangerous situation facing the Ummah required that the Muslim leaders bring about harmony among the people for the good of the world.
Responding to another question, the President said there was a need to develop new initiatives, without looking at it from the sectarian point of view. He said views were exchanged on the overall situation in the Middle East within a broad framework without going into the specifics.
About the role of Israel regarding resolution of the Palestinian issue, he said the right of a Palestinian state must be recognised for regional and global peace, while at the same time the right of Israelis' existence should be also recognised.
The President took strong exception to the statements alleging any institutional support to Taliban from Pakistan and termed such claims a "preposterous thought." He said Pakistan has lost around 600 of its security personnel while it has arrested over 700 terrorists including "kingpins of Taliban."
The President said even the Pakistani leadership was targeted in suicide attacks and it was unfair to blame the country.
"The trouble is mainly in Afghanistan and its solution also lies inside that country," President Musharraf said. He said there was a need for the ISAF, US and the Afghan government to play their part and share the responsibility of stopping movement across the border.
When questioned about the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, the President said he was not aware of where he was. "If anyone has information, I will be glad to personally go along and nab him myself," he said and added that Osama never came to Pakistan since taking up the charge of al Qaeda.
The President said Kandhar in southern Afghanistan remained his operational base and that he would never dare to venture into Pakistan, as there was a strong security and military presence.
President Musharraf also spoke of his discussions with the President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan that covered bilateral relations and Composite Dialogue between Pakistan and India and the desire of both countries to seek a peaceful, negotiated resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
He said war was not an option any more and said the people of the two countries desired peace, as it was in the interest of the region and the world at large. The President said with sincerity, boldness and flexibility both the countries can move forward on conflict resolution.
LEAVES FOR HOME President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday left for home at the culmination of his five-nation visit of the Middle East countries.
President Musharraf flew into Abu Dhabi on the last leg of his five-nation tour on Tuesday to discuss with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan the deteriorating situation in Middle East, particularly the issue of Palestine.
The President during this visit held talks with Kindg Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, President Hosni Mubarak of Ehypt, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.