ISLAMABAD, July 23: In a bid to halt the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz telephoned key leaders of the Organisation of Islamic Conference on Sunday to muster support for an effective political initiative.

President Musharraf telephoned Saudi King Abdullah to discuss the crisis, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told Dawn.

The two leaders shared their deep concern over the escalation and agreed on a political initiative by the OIC, she said and added: “They further agreed on the need for contact between OIC and other world leaders for effective international action to bring the crisis to an immediate end.”

They expressed sympathy and solidarity with the people of Lebanon who were facing extreme hardship and suffering, the spokesperson said.

Referring to the Gen Musharraf s earlier telephone conversation with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, Ms Aslam said: They exchanged views on the role the OIC could play. President Musharraf stated that Pakistan supported a collective response by the OIC.—Q.A.