Musharaff, who is in Kuala Lumpur on the last leg of his tour of Muslim nations, stressed that there was no harm in trying out his plan as anyway things were deteriorating. "Through a new initiative we hope to turn this around.
What we can try is to convert this downward slide toward an upward momentum, toward a resolution of disputes. There is no harm in trying," the Pakistani president said at a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
"What brings me here is the extension of the process of consultation towards a new initiative by a group of like-minded Muslim countries towards resolution of disputes and bringing harmony into the Muslim world," Musharraf said.
Musharraf has proposed bringing together leaders of influential Muslim nations to devise a new strategy to curb spiralling violence in the region. Malaysia and Indonesia backed the plan during visits this week by the Pakistani leader, who has also secured the support of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.
Musharaff has toured several Muslim nations and is in Malaysia, the Chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, to discuss his plan, which hopes to bring together "like minded Muslim countries" to try and resolve the escalating middle east crisis.
"One can't certainly guarantee that we will succeed but at least it is worth a try in view of all the troubles we are facing around the world," Musharaff said.
"Violence seems to be escalating instead of stopping. It is my hope and his hope that we would be able to meet in a bigger group to examine further the causes and reasons for whatever that is associated with the Middle East situation," Abdullah, who is current Chairman of the powerful 57-member Organisation of Islamic Conference said.
Malaysia denied a new Middle East peace initiative would undermine the grouping. "I don't think so," Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said. "It's a process of consultation, it should not undermine anybody." The Pakistani president toured Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the UAE.
© 2025