Pakistan to send troops to Iraq: Report

Pakistan has decided to send two army brigades, approximately six to ten thousand troops, to Iraq.

The modalities for the deployment are yet to be worked out, Pakistani newspaper Daily Times quoted President Pervez Musharraf as saying after a meeting with his French counterpart Jacques Chirac in Paris on Thursday.

Musharraf said Pak-French relations, the international political situation, developments in South Asia with regard to Kashmir, Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism also came up for discussion during the two-hour meeting.

"The (French) president will convey our proposal regarding the resolution of the Kashmir issue to the Indian Prime Minister's Advisor, Brajesh Mishra, when he visits France," he said.

On Pakistan recognising Israel, he said: "We have to develop a national consensus before action can be taken on this. The Pakistani nation has to decide our future relationship with Israel, so I think as far as recognition is concerned, it is not on the cards as yet."