Islamic states hail progress in Indo-Pak peace talks

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday (AFP) The 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference hailed what it described as the "positive results" of peace talks between India and Pakistan in New Delhi.

Secretary General Akmal al-Din Oghali said Islamic states "welcome the announcement by the two sides that the peace process is now irreversible," said a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

The OIC expressed its "full support for efforts for peace and normalization between the two countries" and the "settlement of all outstanding differences, including that of Kashmir".

Monday's joint statement from the longtime foes came at the end of a visit by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Musharraf that had originally started as an invitation to watch cricket but quickly built into a broader review of the 14-month peace process.

Meanwhile UN Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed the joint statement from India and Pakistan that the peace process between the two nuclear-armed rivals was now irreversible.

"The secretary general warmly supports the efforts by India and Pakistan to advance the ongoing dialogue," Annan's spokesman said in a statement.

"He welcomes the joint statement issued by the leaders of the two countries this weekend which outlined additional confidence building measures aimed at achieving durable peace in the region," the spokesman said.