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US to host Karzai-Musharraf talks US hosts Karzai-Musharraf talks
(about 7 hours later)
US President George W Bush is due to host a meeting between the Pakistani and Afghan presidents in an attempt to ease tensions between the two sides. US President George W Bush has hosted a meeting between the Pakistani and Afghan presidents in an attempt to ease tensions between the two sides.
Pakistan's Gen Pervez Musharraf and Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai will join Mr Bush for dinner, with terrorism and security expected to top the agenda. Pakistan's Gen Pervez Musharraf and Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai joined Mr Bush for dinner, with terrorism and security expected to top the agenda.
The two countries disagree on how to fight the Taleban in the border region.The two countries disagree on how to fight the Taleban in the border region.
Mr Karzai accuses Pakistan of not doing enough to fight militants, criticism that Gen Musharraf strongly rejects.Mr Karzai accuses Pakistan of not doing enough to fight militants, criticism that Gen Musharraf strongly rejects.
It is nearly five years since the Taleban were forced from power, but thousands of international troops remain in the country hunting Taleban supporters, who have regrouped.It is nearly five years since the Taleban were forced from power, but thousands of international troops remain in the country hunting Taleban supporters, who have regrouped.
Violence and fighting have been increasing, particularly in the south of the country.Violence and fighting have been increasing, particularly in the south of the country.
On Wednesday, Afghan security forces said that they had killed 25 insurgents in a clash in the southern province of Helmand.On Wednesday, Afghan security forces said that they had killed 25 insurgents in a clash in the southern province of Helmand.
'Blind eye''Blind eye'
The Afghan and Pakistani leaders have been apart on the issue of security in recent months.The Afghan and Pakistani leaders have been apart on the issue of security in recent months.
Karzai meets Bush in US UK claims Taleban defeatKarzai meets Bush in US UK claims Taleban defeat
President Karzai has suggested that Pakistan has turned a blind eye to Taleban supporters using parts of the country to train and launch attacks on Afghanistan, and accuses Pakistan of sheltering former Taleban leaders.President Karzai has suggested that Pakistan has turned a blind eye to Taleban supporters using parts of the country to train and launch attacks on Afghanistan, and accuses Pakistan of sheltering former Taleban leaders.
Mr Karzai has also criticised a peace deal between the Pakistani army and tribal elders in the North Waziristan border region, saying that violence in Afghanistan has increased since the deal.Mr Karzai has also criticised a peace deal between the Pakistani army and tribal elders in the North Waziristan border region, saying that violence in Afghanistan has increased since the deal.
Gen Musharraf says the deal was necessary to fight the Taleban and strongly rejects Mr Karzai's allegations. He says Pakistan is doing all it can to fight terrorism and, in turn, accuses Mr Karzai of inaction.Gen Musharraf says the deal was necessary to fight the Taleban and strongly rejects Mr Karzai's allegations. He says Pakistan is doing all it can to fight terrorism and, in turn, accuses Mr Karzai of inaction.
On Tuesday Mr Bush and Mr Karzai held talks in Washington, with the US president stressing his commitment to supporting Afghan reconstruction and security.On Tuesday Mr Bush and Mr Karzai held talks in Washington, with the US president stressing his commitment to supporting Afghan reconstruction and security.
But the US has become increasingly impatient about the spats between Mr Karzai and Gen Musharraf, the BBC's Barbara Plett reports from Islamabad.But the US has become increasingly impatient about the spats between Mr Karzai and Gen Musharraf, the BBC's Barbara Plett reports from Islamabad.
With violence continuing in Afghanistan, Mr Bush's principal message to the two leaders will be that he wants them to co-operate, our correspondent says.With violence continuing in Afghanistan, Mr Bush's principal message to the two leaders will be that he wants them to co-operate, our correspondent says.
ViolenceViolence
The latest clash took place when insurgents attacked a police post in Helmand province, officials said.The latest clash took place when insurgents attacked a police post in Helmand province, officials said.
"In a police operation in Garmser district, 25 enemies of the peace and stability of Afghanistan were killed and wounded," police spokesman Zemaria Bashary told French news agency AFP."In a police operation in Garmser district, 25 enemies of the peace and stability of Afghanistan were killed and wounded," police spokesman Zemaria Bashary told French news agency AFP.
Three Italian soldiers and their interpreter were also wounded when their vehicle was blown up in the western province of Herat.Three Italian soldiers and their interpreter were also wounded when their vehicle was blown up in the western province of Herat.
On Tuesday, at least 18 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Helmand province.On Tuesday, at least 18 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Helmand province.
But the commander of British forces in Afghanistan said his troops had tactically defeated the Taleban in Helmand, the BBC's Alastair Leithead reports from Afghanistan.But the commander of British forces in Afghanistan said his troops had tactically defeated the Taleban in Helmand, the BBC's Alastair Leithead reports from Afghanistan.
Brig Ed Butler said a deal brokered with elders in one of the centres British troops are defending had stopped the fighting for two weeks.Brig Ed Butler said a deal brokered with elders in one of the centres British troops are defending had stopped the fighting for two weeks.
There are still daily clashes in the area, but far fewer than over the last two months. Troops on the ground said they did not know if this was a sign of progress or the Taleban regrouping for a winter push, our correspondent reports.There are still daily clashes in the area, but far fewer than over the last two months. Troops on the ground said they did not know if this was a sign of progress or the Taleban regrouping for a winter push, our correspondent reports.