ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: Jean Marie Guehenno, the UN Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, on Thursday exchanged views with Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on UN's role in support of Saarc programmes and the peace process between India and Pakistan.

The UN official congratulated the foreign minister on the success of the Saarc summit and initiation of the dialogue process between Pakistan and India, according to a handout.

Mr Kasuri said the international community had played an important role and called for its continued involvement in the process. He said the leaders of Pakistan and India had showed flexibility in their positions with a view to achieving economic progress and prosperity. The two sides now required to demonstrate strong political will for finding a lasting solution to all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Mr Kasuri stressed that the UN had greater responsibility to pursue the breakthrough in the Pakistan-India relationship. He welcomed the success of Loya Jirga in Afghanistan. In order to achieve stability, he pointed out, progress would be required on certain areas, including recognition of the rights of the majority Pukhtun community, establishment of a fair system of voter registration, extension of the government's writ beyond Kabul and disarming the warring factions. Mr Guehenno expressed gratitude for Pakistan's contribution to peacekeeping efforts around the globe.