As Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf once again raked up Gujarat violence, Iranian President Syed Muhammad Khatami on Tuesday reminded Pakistan of the sectarian strife in the country, involving majority Sunni and minority Shia, saying such violence and differences were the major problems facing the region.

Khatami, who is on a three-day visit, also asked India and Pakistan to sort out their differences in the interest of regional economic development.

Asked at a joint press conference with Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali what Iran proposed to do to stop the communal attacks on Muslims in Gujarat, Khatami said he condemned atrocities not only against Muslims but against all human beings.

"We are against any kind of brutalities and atrocities against human beings anywhere in the world, especially when it happens against Muslims. No matter where they are, whether it is Palestine, India or anywhere," he said, adding in his view sectarian violence was biggest problem that faced the region.

"Major problem we are facing in our region is sectarian violence and sectarian differences. We have to face this sinister phenomenon. We should try to build a world where all people of the world can live in peace with different faiths and pursuits," he said.

At a banquet hosted for Khatami on Monday night, President Pervez Musharraf accused BJP government of "cynically encouraging" communal riots and said, "What has happened in Gujarat has finally exposed the myth of Indian secularism."