KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 29 -- Umno will invite PAS' top leadership to its general assembly next month, reciprocating an invitation extended to Umno leaders to attend the Islamist party's annual muktamar in Kelantan.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the move was a gesture of respect towards PAS, Sinar Harian reported today.

"Umno has also agreed to extend an official invitation to PAS' top leadership as a gesture of respect and to reciprocate the invitation extended to Umno's leadership to attend the PAS annual muktamar," he was quoted as saying at a press conference after an Umno Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato' Onn here yesterday.

The exchange of invitations comes ahead of a busy September for both parties, with...