TOKYO, Sept 27: Envoys from 11 countries, including the United States and Pakistan urged Tokyo on Thursday to extend its naval mission in support of US-led operations in Afghanistan, the latest sign of pressure on opposition parties to drop their stance against extending the refuelling activities.

“The members of the coalition acknowledge and greatly appreciate Japan’s support ... and hope that Japan will continue its important contribution,” Kamran Niaz, ambassador from Pakistan — the only Muslim country taking part in the operations in the Indian Ocean -- told reporters after the envoys met at his embassy.

Other countries represented at Thursday’s meeting included France, Germany and Afghanistan.

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who took office on Wednesday, has stressed the need to extend the mission, the legal mandate for which expires on Nov 1.

“This is a sign that all these countries have high expectations of Japan,” Fukuda told reporters at his residence.

“I think they all feel the same way about the need to prevent the spread of terrorism.”

Washington has said Japan’s mission is vital not only for the US but for the broader international community.

“It’s not an American question — it’s a question for the international community,” US ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer said after the meeting at the Pakistani embassy.—Reuters