Nato chief holds Musharraf talks

Nato's commander in Afghanistan, General David Richards, has held talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on fighting terrorism.

A Pakistani spokesman said talks focused on increasing co-operation.

The meeting came amid claims that Pakistan's spy agency, ISI, is helping the Taleban, which Pakistan denies.

Gen Richards has warned that the majority of Afghans may start to support the Taleban unless their lives improve in the next six months.

Pakistani military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan said discussions during the hour-long meeting covered ways of increasing co-operation between the two sides in fighting terrorism.

"He [Gen Richards] has come here to discuss Nato's expanding role in Afghanistan and security co-operation between the important partners in the war on terror," he told the AFP news agency.

Ahead of his meeting with the Pakistani President, Gen Richards reportedly told a television news channel that more could be done to fight terrorism.

According to Reuters news agency, he told Geo television: "Yes, we all want to do more because we still have a problem.

"Lots of other people can do more as well - the people who I'm working with in Afghanistan and the international community."

'Excellent job'

Gen Richards assumed responsibility for foreign military operations across the whole of Afghanistan from the US-led coalition last week.

Nato forces in the south are facing mounting casualties as they engage in fighting with a resurgent Taleban.

The allegations over ISI support for the Taleban resurfaced at the end of September.

BBC