ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, June 5 (UPI) -- Pakistan Saturday became the first Muslim state to invite new Iraqi prime minister to a visit.
President Pervez Musharraf formally invited Prime Minister Iyad Allawi when Allawi called the Pakistani leader to thank him for recognizing the new Iraqi government.
Allawi accepted the invitation.
Pakistan formally Friday recognized the interim Iraqi administration.
Musharraf also assured the new Iraqi premier he is willing to help Allawi's government restore law and order in Iraq.
The United States earlier asked Pakistan to send its troops to Iraq as part of a multinational force for peacekeeping. Pakistan accepted the U.S. request, but said it would also need an invitation from the interim Iraqi government for sending troops to Iraq.
