ISLAMABAD, July 20: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Thursday asked India to avoid ‘blame game’ over Mumbai bomb blasts and held out the assurance that Pakistan would extend fullest cooperation if any information about the elements involved in the terrorist act was shared with Islamabad.

In an address to the nation, the president sought immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and cautioned against any interference from Afghanistan into Pakistan’s internal affairs.

Gen Musharraf said he himself and the people and government of Pakistan had condemned the July 11 blasts in Mumbai. He said Pakistan itself had been a victim of terrorism and was relentlessly engaged in the fight against extremism and terrorism.

He offered condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of the people of Pakistan. However, he regretted the Indian government’s attitude, saying that any talk of postponement or stalling of the peace process would be tantamount to a victory for terrorists and said the blasts were very much aimed at achieving the same objective.

The president said he believed the Indian government would not like the terrorists to succeed in their designs.

He called for exercising caution before making any comment or levelling unsubstantiated allegations.

President Musharraf called for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and a negotiated settlement of the Middle East crisis, warning that the conflict could engulf other countries in the region if it was not de-escalated.

He said if Syria and Iran also got involved in the conflict it would spread to other parts of the region, including Pakistan, and stressed that “we will have to ensure our security and safeguard our integrity through forging complete unity among our ranks”.

He pointed out that the Palestinian dispute lay at the centre of the crisis and urged the world community to help resolve the longstanding issue in a just manner for the sake of global peace.

Turning to Afghanistan, the president said he saw a change in the overall situation in that country. “In the past, we were fighting against Al Qaeda in cities and mountains, including South and North Waziristan,” he said, adding that Pakistan had broken the back of terrorists who were on the run now.

“The focus now has shifted to Taliban, especially in southern Afghanistan,” he said, adding “we have launched operations against certain elements that are active on our side of the border.”

President Musharraf declared that Pakistan would not accept any accusation and finger pointing and asked Afghanistan to desist from levelling unsubstantiated charges.

“We have to fight extremism and terrorism as partners,” he said. He, however, cautioned against any interference from Afghanistan into Pakistan’s internal affairs and said it must stop forthwith.

Reuters adds: He said Mullah Mohammad Omar was leading Taliban forces in southern Afghanistan, though they were getting some support from the Pakistani tribal areas.

“The bottom line is that no foreigner will live here. Either he leaves the country, or surrenders, or he will be killed,” he said.