Islamabad: Terming the US-led attack against Iraq as "deplorable", Pakistan has joined France and Germany to call upon the United Nations to take a fresh initiative to defuse the crisis.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and French and German Ambassadors to Islamabad Yannick Gerard and Christoph Brummer respectively, condemned the war in Iraq at a function on March 25.

While Kasuri said the US action was "deplorable", Gerard termed it as "unjustified and illegal".

"At this time of anguish and dismay for the people of Pakistan over the situation in Iraq, we have already deplored the initiation of military action against Iraq.

"We believe that United Nations must continue to play an important role in the current crisis in Iraq. We need to address urgently the gathering storm of a humanitarian crisis," Kasuri, who was the guest of honour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Elysee German-French Treaty at a reception hosted by the French and German Ambassadors, said.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Nancy Powel, also took part in the function.

Kasuri said the UN has not lost its mooring because of its failure to avert US war on Iraq.

"We believe that the Security Council must uphold international legality and do so on a non-selective basis. It must implement all Security Council resolutions whether they be on Iraq, Palestine or Jammu and Kashmir. It is only in this spirit of non- selectivity that the principles of international law can acquire legitimacy and support worldwide," he said.

PTI