ISLAMABAD, April 17: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Thursday told the United States presidential envoy to Iraq and Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, that the governance of Iraq was the right of Iraqi people and should be restored to them as soon as possible.

Talking to Ambassador Khalilzad, who called on him, Mr Kasuri said the United Nations should have a leading role in shaping the future of Iraq and addressing the humanitarian concerns and long-term reconstruction of the country.

Mr Khalilzad, who was recently in Nasiriyah, discussed with the foreign minister latest developments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Kasuri reiterated Pakistan’s support to the Karzai government and the Bonn process.

It was agreed that a stable, prosperous Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest.

The minister reiterated that the government was committed not to allow any elements to use the country’s territory to destabilize Afghanistan.

The envoy was accompanied by US Ambassador Nancy Powell.—APP