ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Monday urged United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to help stop the Israeli ‘aggression’ in Lebanon, saying a delay in a ceasefire would worsen the situation.

President Musharraf spoke by telephone with the UN secretary-general and “called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon” and for Israel to remove its troops from there, the APP news agency reported.

President Musharraf said: “Any loss of time will further deteriorate the situation and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.”

He said that Israel should call back its troops from Lebanon underlining Security Council to play a pivotal role in the crisis.

Sources said that he reiterated that without peaceful and durable solution of Palestine issue, peace could not be restored in the Middle East.

During the conversation, President Musharraf briefed Mr Anna regarding the reconstruction and rehabilitation work being carried out in quake hit areas after last year’s October 8 earthquake.

He lauded the support and financial help of the UN and its organisations concerned for the quake-affected people.

The secretary-general assured the president that the UN would continue to provide optimum assistance for the rehabilitation of the quake-affected people.

He said that the pledges regarding funds that were made at the World Donors Conference would be fulfilled.—Agencies