PUTRAJAYA, Aug 3: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said that Pakistan would consider contributing troops to an international peacekeeping force in Lebanon, if such a request was made.

Talking to reporters after his speech in which he demanded immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and constitution of a UN force, he said: “Pakistan is the largest contributor to international peacekeeping operations and if requested, it will consider contributing troops for Lebanon.”

The prime minister said Pakistan desired a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the crisis and was strongly against the use of force.

“No civil society can allow killings of its women and children,” he said.

Mr Aziz described the situation in Lebanon as “a great human tragedy” and said Pakistan fully supported the peacekeeping efforts. He said the OIC could play an important role as it represented the Ummah. He said an immediate ceasefire was the quickest solution to the crisis.

—APP