ISLAMABAD, Aug 23 (AFP) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Monday for talks on eradicating Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters from their common border, a key issue in his bid for re-election.
Karzai and Musharraf held "an exclusive" one-on-one meeting ahead of formal talks between two sides, an official statement said.
"They reiterated the two countries` common commitment to fighting terrorism in the interests of sustainable socio-economic development of the region," it said.
The two leaders "resolved to further enhance the relationship between two neighbouring countries," it said.
Karzai, heading a top-level ministerial delegation, flew into Islamabad for a two-day visit at Musharraf`s invitation to discuss cooperation in rounding up militant Islamic fighters and boosting economic ties.
Welcoming the Afghan president, Musharraf said he hoped Karzai`s meetings with the Pakistani leadership would help in further broadening bilateral ties, the statement said.
"He assured Karzai of Pakistan`s continued cooperation in the reconstruction of Afghanistan."
Earlier, soon after his arrival, Karzai accompanied by Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri headed to the foreign ministry for talks.
"Pakistan fully supports ... the endeavours of President Karzai for national reconciliation, reconstruction and development," Kasuri told reporters.
The visit coincided with a fresh operation by Pakistani security forces in a tribal border region in which four Al-Qaeda linked foreign militants were killed, military officials said, adding that troops also apprehended two militants including a foreigner.
A week before his visit Karzai made a thinly-veiled attack on Pakistan, accusing Afghanistan`s "neighbours" of allowing militant fighters to cross the border to wage guerrilla attacks.
"I ask them not to allow terrorists to enter our country from their territory because their country`s security depends upon the security of the country in Afghanistan," he said in an Independence Day address.
Afghan leaders accuse Pakistan of not doing enough to stop hundreds of Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters finding sanctuary in remote border regions from where they are believed to plot and launch attacks inside Afghanistan as part of an insurgency against Karzai`s government.
Pakistan denies aiding the militants and says its extensive army operations to flush out fighters from the frontier area are proof of its commitment to eradicating them.
Analysts said success in curbing militant insurgency in southeast Afghanistan along the Pakistani frontier is important for Karzai as he prepares to run against 17 other candidates in landmark October 9 elections.
"Karzai`s visit is very important for him because of upcoming elections in Afghanistan," foreign affairs analyst and former Pakistani diplomat Kamal Matinuddin told AFP.
"He will discuss the situation in the bordering provinces and the ongoing Pakistani military operations in the tribal area, where a hunt is on for Al-Qaeda militants and terror suspects.
"Karzai would definitely convey his happiness over the Pakistani assaults. He would like Pakistan to continue the operation and will most likely convey his government`s desire that `We both should do more to eradicate terrorism.`"
Kasuri said Sunday the sensitive issue of Pakistani prisoners languishing in Afghan jails would also be on the agenda.
Up to 6,000 Pakistanis travelled to Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban in late 2001, when US-led forces were driving them from power for refusing to hand over terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden.
Some 2,000 Pakistanis were taken prisoner by anti-Taliban forces now in power. Around 1,000 have been released in batches.
On Tuesday Karzai will address the Institute of Strategic Studies, a state-run think tank in Islamabad, before meeting outgoing Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat.