Tunis, July 16: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf wrapped up a visit to Tunisia today during which he held talks with his Tunisian counterpart Zine el Abidine Ben Ali on the situation in the Middle East and on trade. The two leaders had held talks on Monday, at the start of Musharraf's visit, and again today before Musharraf left for Algeria, the second leg of his North African visit.

The talks focussed on bilateral relations and "international issues of mutual concern," officials said. Both leaders stressed "the backing their countries give to the legitimate cause of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state," officials said.

The two men also discussed Iraq and called for international "concentration and coordination (to further) the causes of peace, security and development" there.

Musharraf's visit to Tunisia was "an opportunity for the two countries to broaden cooperation in a climate marked by uncertainty," officials said. The Pakistani leader's visit also provided the occasion to review economic cooperation between the two countries.

Tunis exports phosphates, olive oil and dates to Islamabad, and imports textiles, medical equipment, leather and furniture from Pakistan.

Trade volume between the two countries was put at 12 million Euros for the first five months of 2003.

Yesterday, the second day of his visit, Musharraf toured Tunis's old town with his wife, chatting with merchants and visiting a mosque, officials said. Musharraf browsed in the bazaar while his wife Sehba tried her hand at carpet weaving.

Bureau Report