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  • AFGHANISTAN: President Musharraf absent at meeting of tribal leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan

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AFGHANISTAN: President Musharraf absent at meeting of tribal leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan

Afghan and Pakistani political and tribal leaders meet in Kabul to agree ways to combat Taliban and al Qaeda attacks, but its authority is dented after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf pulled out. Afghan and Pakistani political and tribal leaders met in Kabul on Thursday (August 9) to agree ways to combat Taliban and al Qaeda attacks. But Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf decided not attend the three-day jirga or tribal council. He was replaced by Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. The meeting was agreed by Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Washington late last year to bring together the two U.S. allies in seeking a common strategy against al Qaeda and the Taliban. Musharraf's absence will deal a blow to the jirga, which has already been hit by a boycott by some Pakistani tribal groups. Karzai was nevertheless upbeat and said Afghanistan and Pakistan had to work together to defeat the Taliban and al Qaeda. "There is no doubt this jirga will be successful. The people of Afghanistan and dear brotherly Pakistan have pinned their hopes on the success of the jirga," he said as he opened the meeting in a hall filled with at least 300 leaders and elders. "I am sure and have full confidence that if we have resolve we can get rid of them tomorrow," he added. Some 2,500 police are guarding the jirga and NATO troops were also on hand. All roads in and out of the area were closed to traffic except for the buses ferrying delegates to the venue. On the streets of Kabul, citizens were as equally enthusiastic about the event as their president. "We welcome this jirga, we are happy, we expect peace and security from this jirga," said Faiz Mohammad, a resident of Kabul. "We are very happy, all Muslims are happy about this peace jirga. People in Kabul are happy. We hope for a successful outcome," said Sher Ahmad, a 82-year-old Afghan selling eggs. Afghan officials often accuse Pakistan of harbouring Taliban and al Qaeda fighters in order to keep its neighbour weak. Pakistan denies the charge, saying it has arrested a number of senior al Qaeda leaders and is battling its own Taliban threat in tribal areas along the disputed Afghan border.

ITN Source | August 9, 2007Watch more videos from ITN Source

Tags:. .filled. .already. .hall. .strategy. .prime











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