Israel welcomes Pakistani leader's mediation offer
Pakistani president expressed willingness Friday to mediate between Israelis, Palestinians; Foreign Ministry says involvement would likely be limited
Israel on Saturday welcomed an offer by Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but said it was doubtful the Pakistani leader could make much progress.
Musharraf made the surprise offer Friday in an interview with the Arab satellite station Al-Arabiya. He told the Dubai-based station that he would even be willing to visit the Jewish state to help bring peace to the Middle East.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Pakistan's involvement would be welcomed, but said
Musharraf's effectiveness would likely be limited.
"Israel believes that moderate Muslim countries like Pakistan can play a very important role in helping and strengthening the Middle East peace process," Regev said.
"Having said that, experience has clearly demonstrated that the most successful mediators have always been those that have established and solid relationships with both sides."
Pakistan - a key ally in the US-led war against terrorism - has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel and
supports a separate state for Palestinians with Jerusalem as its capital.
