Afghanistan and Pakistan must work together to fight a rise in hate and extremism that has held back the economic development of the two countries, General Pervesz Musharraf, Pakistan's President, told more than 600 Afghan and Pakistani tribal leaders today.

General Musharraf spoke at the closing session of a four-day “peace council", or jirga, aimed at finding ways to stem the rising bloodshed in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s border region.

The Pakistani President said Pakistan and Afghanistan are confronted with a “particularly dark form" of terrorism and that he had “no doubt" that Taleban militants find support in Pakistan and cross over into Afghanistan.

“Our societies face a great danger in the shape of fringe groups, a small minority that preaches hate, violence and backwardness, " General Musharraf said. “These forces are disrupting peace and harmony in our societies, impeding our progress and development and maligning Islam, our noble faith of peace, tolerance and compassion.

“We must rescue our societies from this new danger and work together to effectively defeat the forces of extremism and terrorism.”

The President was greeted by an extended standing ovation as he and Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan, walked into the grand, white tent hosting the jirga.

The Pakistani President had pulled out of speaking at the opening session last Thursday because of, it was reported, of rumours that he would declare a state of emergency, instead sending Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz.

Mr Karzai, who spoke only briefly today following a longer address on Thursday, predicted that the jirga would have a “positive result.”

“Afghanistan has confidence in its neighbouring country,” Mr Karzai said. “I’m praying that both countries have peace and prosperity.”

The idea for the jirga was hatched almost a year ago during a White House meeting between the American President, George W. Bush, General Musharraf and Mr Karzai.

Taleban attacks within Afghanistan in the past two years have raised fears for the country's fledgling democracy. American and Afghan officials say Taleban

militants enjoy a safe haven in Pakistani border regions, particularly Waziristan, where Washington also fears al-Qaeda is regrouping. Pakistan says it has some 90,000 troops combating militants in the region and that it is not a terrorist haven.

Pakistan wants to see a strong, peaceful and stable Afghanistan, General Musharraf said today. “It is therefore painful for us to hear allegations that we are deliberately causing disturbance or violence in your country. We do not have such a policy and we will never have such a short-sighted and disastrous policy,” he said.

“Taleban are part of the Afghan society. Most of them may be ignorant and misguided, but all of them are not diehard militants and fanatics who defy even the most fundamental values of our culture and our faith."

A joint declaration backed by all the participants said that terrorism is a common threat to both countries and that the fight against terrorism should continue to be an integral part of their national policies. A smaller group of jirga participants will work to continue dialogue between the countries and to hold regular meetings.

The group also condemned the cultivation and trafficking of opium poppies and other drugs and called for the international community to provide alternative professions for poppy farmers.

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