ISLAMABAD, April 12: Pakistan and Yemen on Wednesday reiterated their call for a clear definition of terrorism and recognition of the legitimate rights of people resisting occupation as stipulated in the United Nations charter.

This was reflected in the joint communiqué issued at the end of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s state visit to Pakistan on Wednesday.

The two sides agreed to cooperate in the area of security and draw on each other’s experiences in the fight against terrorism to end the scourge and its sources of financing.

The leaders of the two countries underscored the need for resolving disputes in the Muslim world and called upon the Organisation of Islamic Conference to play an active role in this regard. Specific references were made to conflicts in Palestine, Iraq and Kashmir.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state with Al Quds as its capital in accordance with the roadmap, the Arab peace initiative and UN resolutions.

President General Pervez Musharraf and his Yemeni counterpart emphasised the need for national unity in Iraq to prevent sectarian and ethnic conflict. They called for the formation of a national unity government representing Iraqis from all political and ethnic groups. They stressed the need for preserving Iraq’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. They condemned violence targeting Iraqi holy sites and civilians.

According to the communiqué, President Saleh expressed support for President Musharraf’s initiatives for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict through peaceful means. “He expressed the confidence that a just solution of this conflict in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir would undoubtedly bring lasting peace to the region.”

Gen Musharraf expressed appreciation for the role being played by President Saleh in resolving regional conflicts, especially his efforts to achieve the Somali reconciliation. He also praised the steps the Yemeni leader had taken to introduce democratic reforms in his country.

The two presidents called upon the OIC to implement its decisions adopted at the Makkah summit and at the ministerial meeting in San’a in 2005. They stressed the importance of promoting inter-faith and inter-civilisation dialogue. During his stay, President Saleh held meetings with President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on wide-ranging bilateral issues aimed at strengthening ties, as well as on regional and international issues of common interest.