Four days of talks involving government and tribal leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan ended Sunday with calls to confront militancy and improve security along the countries' border.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf addressed the closing session of the so-called "Grand Jirga" and acknowledged that Pakistani tribesmen near the Afghan border were supporting Taleban insurgents in Afghanistan.
General Musharraf said Kabul and Islamabad have a responsibility to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries in their tribal areas. He said religious extremism and the so-called Talebanization of both countries are hindering economic development.
The gathering of more 600 Pakistani and Afghan tribal leaders was aimed at finding solutions to violence and instability on both sides of the border.
A second Grand Jirga is scheduled to take place in Pakistan next year.
The delegates created a number of smaller bilateral commissions, which will meet in the next few months to discuss a variety of topics.
General Musharraf was originally scheduled to address the opening session, but abruptly canceled that appearance, citing domestic political issues.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
