ISLAMABAD, May 25: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Secretary-General of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, said here on Sunday his alliance would decide whether or not to accept the membership of the National Security Council after MMA's nominee was appointed the leader of the opposition by the Speaker of the National Assembly.

The Maulana, who himself is a candidate for the coveted office, told Dawn that the Speaker's decision would be on merit as the alliance's claim was based on the fact that it enjoyed the status of a single largest party in the lower house.

Answering a question, the MMA leader said the alliance's supreme council would be convened soon to take some important decisions, including that of its relations with the government after the establishment of the NSC.

To a question about the peaceful resolution of the Wana crisis, the MMA leader said: "The efforts of the two MMA MNAs, Maulana Mirajuddin and Maulana Abdul Malik, had proved beyond any doubt that the religious leadership of the country was much more capable than others to resolve political issues through mediation and reconciliation.

He termed the government's step of announcing clemency for the militants a wise one, which, he said, would help restore law and order in the tribal belt. He said Pakistan could not and must not send its troops to Iraq for it was against all norms of humanity and religious dictates which do not allow Muslims to fight Muslims.