RIYADH, June 12: President Pervez Musharraf left Madina Munawwara after completing his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia.

Earlier talking to leading Saudi intellectuals and opinion makers he said the situation with India remains ‘grim’ adding that measures taken by New Delhi to ease tension were not enough.

“The situation will remain grim till we disengage on the borders. So long as the physical presence of the forces continues, the situation will remain grim,” he told the newsmen late on Monday.

Referring to the war like situation, he said “It is easing but as a military man, I have to see both (possibilities). Intentions (to resort to war) are receding but these can change any time”.

“We will not initiate war, but we have to guard our honour and dignity. We will have to determine the outline between avoidance of war and not compromising on honour and dignity,” the President added.

In order to avoid any nuclear conflict in South Asia he proposed prerequisites: South Asia to be made a non-nuclear region, there needs to be a strengthening of deterrents and most importantly a resolution to the Kashmir issue.

In answer to a question, he said the three most important issues that now concern Pakistani government are economy, poverty and political stability.

Answering a question about the Western fears of a possible nuclear war in South Asia, President Musharraf added: “Nobody in their right minds wants a nuclear exchange. India and Pakistan are nuclear states, but Pakistan has conventional deterrents and we must maintain them because they will be safeguards against any unconventional war.”

President Musharraf visited the ‘Roza-i- Rasool (Peace Be Upon Him)’ and offered ‘zuhr’ prayers at the Masjid-i-Nabavi, APP adds from Madina.

As a special goodwill gesture of the Saudi government, the gates of the ‘Roza-i-Rasool (PBUH)’ were specially opened and Gen Musharraf along with the other delegation members offered ‘salam’ and ‘dua’.