Pakistan leader condemns attack on Afghan president
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
ISLAMABAD, Jun 11 (AFP): Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Monday expressed concern over a "cowardly" attempt on the life of his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, a statement said.
Military ruler Musharraf, who has been at loggerheads with his fellow ally in the US-led "war on terror" for several months, also called for a firm stance to end terrorism in the region.
Karzai escaped unhurt after Taliban militants fired rockets Sunday at a school in the southwestern Afghan province of Ghazni, where he was meeting with tribal elders.
"I was deeply concerned to know about the cowardly attack on your life while you were addressing a public meeting in Ghazni," Musharraf said in his message to Karzai, according to the statement.
It said Musharraf added: "We are grateful to almighty Allah that you are safe and no harm has come to the life of our other Afghan brothers as well."
Musharraf, who has himself survived at least two assassination attempts blamed on the Taliban's Al-Qaeda allies, said "the attack reinforces our common resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism and violence from the region."
Karzai and Musharraf agreed to step up joint efforts against terrorism at a meeting in the Turkish capital, Ankara, in late April which was held to ease simmering tensions.
Military ruler Musharraf, who has been at loggerheads with his fellow ally in the US-led "war on terror" for several months, also called for a firm stance to end terrorism in the region.
Karzai escaped unhurt after Taliban militants fired rockets Sunday at a school in the southwestern Afghan province of Ghazni, where he was meeting with tribal elders.
"I was deeply concerned to know about the cowardly attack on your life while you were addressing a public meeting in Ghazni," Musharraf said in his message to Karzai, according to the statement.
It said Musharraf added: "We are grateful to almighty Allah that you are safe and no harm has come to the life of our other Afghan brothers as well."
Musharraf, who has himself survived at least two assassination attempts blamed on the Taliban's Al-Qaeda allies, said "the attack reinforces our common resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism and violence from the region."
Karzai and Musharraf agreed to step up joint efforts against terrorism at a meeting in the Turkish capital, Ankara, in late April which was held to ease simmering tensions.