All party meeting urges Hazare to end fast

An all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday to discuss the Lokpal bill appealed to social activist Anna Hazare to end his nine-day fast for a stringent anti-graft law.

The meeting issued a joint statement saying that due consideration should be given to Team Anna's Jan Lokpal bill so that the final draft of the legislation provides for a "strong and effective" ombudsman.

"The meeting of all parties in parliament requests Shri Anna Hazare to end his fast. The meeting was also of the view that due consideration should be given to the Jan Lokpal bill so that the final draft of the Lokpal bill provides for a strong and effective Lokpal which is supported by a broad national consensus," the statement said.