ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s candidate for prime ministership, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on Sunday welcomed the softening of United States President George W. Bush’s attitude towards Iraq.

“We welcome the change in Bush’s stance that the US would work with the international community and with the United Nations Security Council rather than going for a unilateral use of force to achieve Iraq’s disarmament,” Maulana Rehman told AFP.

“It is a positive move and we value the moderation being shown by the US president in this crisis,” he said.

Bush has offered a compromise Security Council resolution that does not call for the automatic use of military force to topple President Saddam Hussein.

Maulana Rehman said the US decision would help “promote international peace and tranquillity.”

He also lauded Britain’s decision to close an airbase in Karachi, which was being used to supply International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

The closure in November would give a “sense of satisfaction to the people of Pakistan and other Islamic countries,” he said and added: “We expect more such steps in the interest of world peace.”—AFP