Pakistan sees rise, spread of terrorism in Middle East as "unprecedented security challenges"

Pakistan on Wednesday described that the rise and spread of terrorism in the Middle East as "unprecedented security challenges," and hailed international diplomatic efforts that led to a deal on the Iran nuclear issue.

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif made the statement while taking the floor at the annual high-level debate of the UN General Assembly, which entered its third day here Wednesday.

"The rise and spread of terrorism across the Middle East today poses unprecedented security challenges," he said.

"Wracked by violence, ethnic and sectarian conflicts, and the rise of Daesh, several countries of the region are today the vortex of conflict and instability," he said. "Others are being sucked into this quagmire."

Daesh, also known as the Islamic State, is the terrorist group which spread from Yemen to Syria in the Middle East region.

Meanwhile, the prime minister welcomed a deal reached by Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany.

In July, Iran and six world major countries adopted an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue that will put Iran on the path of sanctions relief but more strict limits on its nuclear program. The nuclear deal reached with the six world major countries is expected to help build confidence.

The comprehensive agreement was clinched after more than two weeks of tough bargaining in Vienna, the capital city of Austria. Under the deal, the Security Council is expected to lift sanctions against Iran in return for Iran meeting strict conditions regarding its nuclear program.

"This shows what diplomatic engagement and multilateralism can achieve," the prime minister said. "It augurs well for the peace and security of our region and beyond." Enditem