ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Wednesday expressed the hope that the United Nations Military Observer Mission in India and Pakistan (Unmogip) could play a more effective role in support of the confidence-building measures initiated by the two countries.

The president and prime minister, who held separate meetings with UN Under Secretary-General of Peacekeeping Operations Jean Marie Guehenno, called for strengthening the role of the United Nations.

Mr Guehenno informed them that the UN might request for additional troops from Pakistan for peacekeeping missions. He conveyed Secretary-General Kofi Annan's concern to President Musharraf over attempts on the latter's life.

Gen Musharraf appreciated the role Unmogip was playing in promoting peace and cooperation in the region and said the recent positive bilateral developments reinforced Pakistan's proposals that Unmogip should be strengthened.

The president assured the under secretary-general of Pakistan's cooperation for the cause of the global peace and security. Over 5,300 Pakistani troops and observers are deployed in Congo, Sierra Leone, East Timor, Liberia and other parts of the world, making Pakistan the largest peacekeeping troop contributor to the UN.

The UN official praised the profes-sional qualities of the Pakistani troops and commanders. Mr Jamali, at his meeting with Mr Guehenno, said that in the changed global scenario the UN's role needed to be strengthened.

Assuring him of all out support, especially in the UN's peacekeeping missions, the prime minister said Pakistan was committed to peace. Mr Guehenno appreciated the understanding reached among Saarc member states on various issues at the recently concluded summit.