New Delhi, Sept 9 (ZEENEWS.COM) Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meeting with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in Havana, a group of parliamentarians cutting across party lines today made a fervent appeal to both the leaders to take the peace process forward "despite difficulties".

"The people of both countries desire peace and friendship", the parliamentarians belonging to Indo-Pak Forum of parliamentarians said.

Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande, chairperson of the Forum, said in a statement that the two leaders who are going to meet in Havana should take the peace process forward "despite difficulties".

Signatories to the statement include Mohd Salim, Hannan Molla, Brinda Karat (all CPI-M), Shatrughan Sinha (BJP), Shahid Siddiqui (SP), Nachiappan, J Seelam, Prema Cariappa and B K Hari Prasad (all Congress).

Singh and Musharraf are expected to be in Cuba on the sideline of the NAM summit during September 11-16.