Monday, February 13 2006 18:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan's leader today (Feb 13 2006) appealed to the United States to help mediate over Kashmir issue with India.

President Pervez Musharraf said Pakistan and India had to resolve the protracted dispute between themselves, and that time was ripe for a resolution, but that the United States had a responsibility as the only superpower to help reach a solution.

His call came ahead of a planned visit next month by US President George W Bush to India and Pakistan, his first to the subcontinent.

"This can be resolved now, and the United States must contribute," Musharraf told a group of journalists.

"President Bush is coming here. I hope he understands the reality."