EAST Lancashire MP Greg Pope has urged United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to make efforts to settle the vexed question of Kashmir as part of any solution to the Afghan War.

The dispute between Pakistan and India over the territory has caused several wars and is a runnign sore on the sub-continent.

On his recent visit to the United States, Hyndburn MP Mr Pope met with Mr Annan on a delegations from the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, and raised directly with Mr Annan the issue of Kashmir.

Mr Pope, who along with fellow East Lancashire MPs has many Kashmiri constituents said: "The resolution of the Kashmir conflict is of the utmost importance in the search for regional stability.

" The conflict has been going on for more than 50 years now following the British withdrawal from India and the partition with Pakistan.

"We, therefore, have a special responsibility to help find a peaceful solution which has the consent of the Kashmiri people.

"I wanted an assurance from Kofi Annan that the United Nations would treat the issue of Kashmir as one of great importance.

"I was reassured that Kofi Annan told me he would be meeting with Pakistani President Musharraf and Indian Premier Vajpayee for separate talks in the next few days.

"I also believe that a great deal of credit is due to President Musharraf, not only for his recent handling of the Kashmir situation, but also for his principled stand in the war against terrorism."