Jordan and Pakistan on Thursday called for a "diplomatic solution" to the Iranian nuclear crisis and stressed that the issue should be settled through peaceful dialogue.

The remarks were made by Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Bakhet and his visiting Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz at a joint press conference.

"We would like to see the Iranian question solved in a diplomatic manner," Bakhet said. He also welcomed Iran's statement on the same day, saying the door for negotiations remains open.

Echoing the Jordanian viewpoint, Aziz said, "We want this issue to be settled through dialogue. We are against the use of force."

Aziz added that Pakistan was "against proliferation of nuclear weapons by any state, but we think every country has the right" to develop a nuclear capacity for peaceful purposes.

Regarding the situation in Palestine, Bakhet said Jordan welcomed the result of the Palestinian people's democratic election, and "respects the Palestinian people's choice" of the hard-line Hamas group to lead their forthcoming government.

"We don't want to see the Palestinian people punished because of their democratic choice," he added. He also expressed hopes that the international community would continue to provide assistance to the Palestine National Authority.

As for the Iraq issue, Bakhet said Jordan hoped all the factions in the country could strengthen cooperation, boost political progress and form a united government involving all parties. He said this was the only way to maintain Iraq's solidarity and sovereignty.

Aziz, who arrived in Jordan late on Wednesday on his way home from Britain, also held a separate meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein.

Source: Xinhua