ISLAMABAD, July 22: In the wake of relentless Israeli aggression Pakistan has decided to step up diplomatic efforts to urgently cobble a joint OIC response to contain the catastrophic situation in Lebanon.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s camp office in Rawalpindi on Saturday. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was also present at the meeting.

The president and the prime minister will intensify consultations with leaders of the OIC member states for a joint response to the crisis situation in Lebanon, the Foreign Office announced after the meeting.

The meeting took place a day after the Iranian president telephoned President Musharraf and leaders of other key Islamic countries to discuss the situation in Lebanon and called for an emergency OIC meeting.

The high-level meeting underlined: In this grave situation facing a member state, consistent with the collective obligations under the OIC Charter as well as decisions taken by the Extraordinary Summit at Makkah last December, the OIC must respond urgently and effectively to demonstrate its solidarity and support to Lebanon and to consider measures to bring the Israeli aggression to an end and to mobilise the international community for this purpose.

The meeting which was attended by Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, foreign secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan and other senior officials declared: Pakistan supports efforts by the OIC and all other initiatives to ensure full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.

The meeting called upon the international community, especially the major powers and the UN Security Council, to urgently intervene to contain the situation through an immediate ceasefire, de-escalation and reversal of Israeli aggression.

The Israeli aggression must be checked as it threatens to engulf the entire region with incalculable consequences, it warned.

The meeting urged the international community to ensure that the desperately needed humanitarian assistance reached the people of Lebanon.

It pointed out that Islamabad had already made arrangements to despatch the relief goods especially food and medical supplies to the affected people.

President Musharraf expressed deep concern over the escalating crisis and violence in the Middle East and the increasing hardship and suffering of the Lebanese people.