CAIRO, Nov 12: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday met a number of world leaders and heads of state who were in the Egyptian capital to attend the funeral of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

During his meetings, the prime minister discussed bilateral, regional and international matters with the leaders and exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East.

Mr Aziz met Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, South African President Thabo Mbeki, Yemenese President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed.

He also met a number of foreign ministers and heads of delegations from some other countries. Talking to newsmen after the funeral prayers, the premier described the late Arafat as a great leader who would be remembered for long.

He said the participation of a large number of world leaders showed they supported the Palestinian cause and wanted a solution to the issue. He said Arafat's death had left behind a vacuum that needed to be filled and hoped the Palestinian leadership and people would continue their struggle till they achieved their rightful goal.

He said Pakistan would continue to support the just struggle of Palestinians for an independent homeland.

RETURNS HOME: Prime Minister Aziz returned home from Cairo on Friday night. Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghauri, Science and Technology Minister Chaudhry Nauraiz Shakoor Khan and Kashmir Committee chairman Hamid Nasir Chattha accompanied the premier. -APP