Thursday, April 6 2006 13:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jerusalem: Expressing his country's support for Palestinian statehood, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has welcomed the appointment of newly-elected Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA).

"We in Pakistan have deep historic and religious bonds with Palestine, and long-standing commitment to the Palestinian people's inalienable right to statehood," sources in Haniyeh's office quoted Aziz as saying.

Pakistan's premier said in a message that his country attached the highest importance to an early settlement of the Palestinian conflict in accordance with the dictates of justice and aspirations of the Palestinian people.

"I take this opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan's solidarity with our Palestinian brothers," Aziz said.

"The advent of your administration is indeed a testimony of the Palestinian people's democratic choice," he added.