Pakistan decides in principle to send troops to Lebanon: PM Aziz
10 September, 2006
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| Pakistan decides in principle to send troops to Lebanon: PM Aziz |
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said Pakistan has decided in principle to dispatch its troops to Lebanon to undertake the task of removing land mines in war ravaged areas there adding Pakistani troops will work under UN umbrella.
"During my visit to Lebanon, the Lebanese leadership had sought help from Pakistan for removing land mines. Upon it Pakistan has decided in principle to send a contingent of army engineers to Lebanon.", he said this while addressing a press conference Saturday in Prime Minister house.
In this connection Lebanese prime minister has also been informed formally by telephone , he added. Necessary directives have been issued to Pakistan ambassador in Lebanon. Pakistan ambassador in New York has been directed to ask UN how much troops it needed from Pakistan for removing the land mines. Our troops will work under UN umbrella.
Responding to a question, he said Lebanese government on its own made request to government of Pakistan for dispatching troops. Hezbollah also joins this move.
Prime Minister held Pakistan will continue to help its Lebanese brethren on humanitarian grounds. Two more C-130 aircrafts will carry the relief goods to Lebanon.
Pakistan condemns strongly bomb blasts in village Malegaon of Indian state Maharashtra. We are opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations", he reiterated. Pakistan hopes India will get to the bottom of this incident.
He went on to say Pakistan wants to maintain environment of peace with India. " We hope there will be positive movement forward during President Musharraf’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of Non Aligned Movement summit conference in Havana", he underlined.
Regarding Hudood ordinance, he said talks are in progress with MMA and other stakeholders on Hudood Amendment Bill. The situation will become clear till Monday and bill will be got passed from the assembly", he hoped.
About peace deal in Waziristan, he said the agreement has not been executed with the militants and it is reached with local tribesmen. It is a positive movement forward and it will help maintain peace. This deal has been struck after great deal of consideration. Action will be initiated whosoever breaches law, he warned.
Commenting on Balochistan situation, he said government wants development and prosperity in the province. Work is under way on the development projects costing Rs 135 billions there.
He told jobs will be provided to 32000 people in Balochistan and 22000 people have been provided employment. " We on one hand will ensure the writ of government and on the other hand work on mega projects will continue unhindered", he assured.
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