ISLAMABAD, April 8: Arab diplomats here have expressed satisfaction over the success of confidence building measures between Pakistan and India. The Council of Arab Ambassadors to Pakistan met here on Thursday. The Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps and Palestinian ambassador, Ahmed El-Salman, presided over the meeting.

The Arab envoys praised the success of the Pakistan-India Cricket Series and polo matches and hoped that the two sides will benefit from "this positive momentum". They said the two governments, during the next round of negotiations, would reach a final settlement on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, for the benefit of the people of Pakistan and India.

The envoys also felicitated the government for the successful conclusion of the 9th SAF Games which paved the way for strengthening friendship and harmony among the SAARC countries.

Pakistan remains a safe and secure place, the ambassadors said adding that the relentless efforts by Islamabad to eradicate extremism, terrorism, sectarian violence and trafficking of illicit drugs are appreciable.

The meeting thoroughly review the positive consolidation process of the Pakistan-Arab relations took place, in light of international developments, and recent events in Palestine and Iraq. The Arab envoys also appreciated the unanimous condemnation by the National Assembly and political parties of Pakistan of the brutal assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.