UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf warned an "iron curtain" was falling between the Islamic world and the West as Muslims feel they are getting no justice in international disputes.
"There is no time to lose," said Musharraf, a key ally in the US war on terrorism who has been under intense political pressure at home over his support for the administration of President George W. Bush.
"Justice must be offered in the form of resolution of all outstanding international disputes which affect the Muslims," Musharraf said in speech to the UN General Assembly.
"Action has to be taken before an iron curtain finally descends between the West and the Islamic world," he said.
"The major powers of the West have yet to show movement by seriously trying to resolve internationally recognized disputes affecting the Muslim world," he said.
The Pakistani leader put special emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, mentioning both Israel's "daily atrocities" as well as "misguided" suicide attacks by Palestinians.
"The tragedy of Palestine is an open wound inflicted on the psyche of every Muslim. It generates anger and resentment across the Islamic world," he told world leaders at the UN's annual debate.
"The world today sees turmoil and upheaval everywhere -- especially in the Third World and more specifically in the Muslim world. Too many fronts have been opened, too many battle lines drawn," Musharraf said.
The Pakistani leader also called to "wind down" the conflict in Iraq, which he said "can only be achieved through handing over governance authority to the people of Iraq and allowing the, full control over their natural resources."
He also called on industrialized nations to "support the endeavour for an Islamic renaissance, especially through adequate financial and technical assistance and larger trade opportunities."