ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday that Muslim countries should coordinate their efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

Talking to a group of Islamabad-based journalists from the Muslim countries, he said the Organization of Islamic Conference should be restructured to make it a vibrant body.

The president called for the formation of a commission that should put forward concrete proposals for restructuring the OIC. He said the proposed commission should complete its mandated task within the stipulated period.

Referring to the upcoming OIC summit in Malaysia, Gen Musharraf said he would float the idea of ‘enlightened moderation’ before the heads of government and state there.

“I will emphasize closer coordination among Muslim nations to combat terrorism and extremism,” he maintained, according to IRNA. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fight the menace of extremism.

In reply to a question, he said no decision had been taken to recognize Israel. He asserted that unless a meaningful dialogue was initiated and positive signs surfaced about the resolution of the Palestinian issue, Islamabad would not reconsider its position about Israel. He called for a just resolution of the Palestinian issue.

On the US-India naval exercises, Gen Musharraf said he was confident that Washington would not take any measures that might hurt Pakistan’s interests. “We are sensitive to any country’s defence cooperation with India.”

He recalled his recent discussions with the US leadership, saying he had dwelt on Pakistan’s concerns over arms imbalance in the region.

He said there should not be an arms imbalance in the region and the no-win situation between Pakistan and India should not be disturbed.

Islamabad, he maintained, had proposed many measures to improve relations with New Delhi, including observing a ceasefire on the Line of Control. “But you can’t clap with one hand. India has to be positive about this,” he maintained.

The president said Pakistan expected the Muslim countries to put their weight behind efforts for a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Referring to his address at the UN General Assembly, he said the West should resolve their differences with the Muslim countries with justice and fairness.

He said the West should cooperate with the Muslim countries in making advances in social sectors like education and health.

OIC SUMMIT: The OIC meeting in Malaysia on Oct 16-18 would condemn Israel for its attack on Syria, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Thursday.