UNITED NATIONS, March 5: Pakistan on Thursday called on the international community to address the root causes of terrorism, including "conflict, poverty, occupation and extremism."

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram, while speaking to members of the UN Security Council, urged the council to "create structures that conformed to the tenets of the charter and respected guidelines set out by the secretary-general and the general assembly."

The UN Security Council's meeting was held to consider the work of counter-terrorism committee. He said: "Pakistan will be prepared to consider the creation of a special body to help the counter-terrorism committee undertake its work ... Such a body should not set a precedent and should exist only for a limited period."

Mr Akram reminded the Council that for the past 25 years, Pakistan had been a principle victim of terrorism, after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks, it had been at the forefront of the fight against the scourge.

"Never had the country's military been deployed in such numbers. It was important to remember that Pakistan had paid high costs for its efforts, including the loss of life and several recent attacks on the life of its president," Mr Akram said.

Some 30 speakers backed the American proposal aimed at helping countries improve the implementation of a resolution adopted after the Sept 11 attacks requiring that they stop supporting, financing and providing sanctuary to terrorists.