Kuala Lumpur:PakistanPresident Pervez Musharaff today (Feb 1, 2007) emphasised the need to bringtogether 'like minded' Muslim nations to resolve the Middle East crisis.

Musharaff, who is here on the last leg of his tour of Muslim nations, stressedthat there was no harm in trying out his plan as anyway things weredeteriorating.

"Through a new initiative we hope to turn this around. What we can try isto convert this downward slide toward an upward momentum, toward a resolutionof disputes. There is no harm in trying," the Pakistani president said ata joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

"What brings me here is the extension of the process of consultationtowards a new initiative by a group of like-minded Muslim countries towardsresolution of disputes and bringing harmony into the Muslim world,"Musharraf said.

Musharraf has proposed bringing together leaders of influential Muslim nationsto devise a new strategy to curb spiralling violence in the region. Malaysia and Indonesiabacked the plan during visits this week by the Pakistani leader, who has alsosecured the support of Egypt,Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syriaand the United Arab Emirates.

Musharaff has toured several Muslim nations and is in Malaysia, the Chairman of theOrganisation of Islamic Conference, to discuss his plan which hopes to bringtogether "like minded Muslim countries" to try and resolve theescalating middle east crisis.

"One can't certainly guarantee that we will succeed but at least it isworth a try in view of all the troubles we are facing around the world,"Musharaff said.