ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday assumed the charge as acting president after President Asif Ali Zardrai left the country for United Arab Emirates on a private visit.

According to the Presidency, a notification was issued which said the president has made Mr Gilani the acting president. Similarly, Deputy Senate Chairman Syedaal Khan will serve as acting chairman of the upper house of parliament.

A source told Dawn that President Zardari has left for Dubai on a private visit and he will return to the country in four to five days.

After assuming the charge of the acting president, Mr Gilani called for further consolidating bilateral relations with Malaysia for the mutual interest of the two brotherly countries.

`Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy cordial cooperation at all international fora, which need to be further strengthened for the benefit of the two sides,` the acting president said while talking to the Chief of the Malaysian Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob, who along with his delegation, called on him, at Aiwan-iSadr.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the acting president stressed the need for further exploring avenues of cooperation in maritime sectors for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries. He expressed the hope that training and exchange programmes between the two navies would further cement naval cooperation between Pakistan and Malaysia.

Mr Gilani expressed satisfaction over the regular conduct of bilateral naval exercises and training collaboration between Pakistan and Malaysia.

He praised the Malaysian Navy for regular participation in AMAN exercises and emphasised the need for continuity of the same in future.

`Pakistan is looking forward to the continued support of Malaysia for Pakistan`s bid to become the Full Dialogue Partner of Asean,` he added.

Earlier, the acting president conferred the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) upon the Chief of the Malaysian Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob, during a special investiture ceremony, at the Presidency.

The award was conferred upon him in recognition of his professional achievements and endeavours for strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the Malaysian Navy and the Pakistan Navy.

The acting president congratulated the Malaysian naval chief on receiving the award and appreciated his contributions towards increasing naval cooperation between the two countries.