ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said on Saturday that any decision on the issue of sending troops to Iraq would be taken in consultation with the Muslim states and added that no step would be taken against the national interest.

Talking to newsmen at the Kallar Kahar rest house, he said President Pervez Musharraf had reiterated time and again that he would not take any decision which was harmful to the country and against the aspirations of people.

In reply to a question about the ongoing peace process with India, the premier expressed the satisfaction over the pace of talks on Siachen and hoped that positive results would come out soon. He said one could expect that bilateral talks would progress in the coming days "in the best interest of the people of the two countries".

Asked about the controversy over the Kargil conflict, he said: "I have already said that reopening of the issue is not in the interest of the country."

He did not agree with the suggestion that an alien political culture would be introduced in the country following the election of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz to the prime minister's office. He said there was no truth in such speculation as the new prime minister being an accomplished economist would bring prosperity to the country.

Responding to local demands, he said sufficient funds would be provided according to the development needs of the area.

Speaking at the luncheon hosted in his honour by PML senior vice-president Abdul Majeed Malik, the premier said he would address the nation soon to explain the steps he had initiated during his brief stint in office and also announce a comprehensive programme for the future government.