President Zardari, Afghan President hold wide-ranging talks

President Asif Ali Zardari held wide-ranging talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai Wednesday on matters of bilateral, regional and international concern. President Zardari, who arrived on a two-day visit to attend the oath-taking ceremony of President Karzai being held on Thursday, drove straight from Kabul airport to the Presidential Palace for talks with the Afghan President. Karzai will be sworn in for a second term at a ceremony being held on Thursday, amid tight security arrangements, and to be attended by international dignitaries.During the exclusive meeting, which was in progress till the filing of this report, the two leaders were believed to have a frank discussion on various issues of mutual interest and concern, with particular focus on the war against terrorism, situation in the region and in the areas bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. President Zardaris visit to Kabul to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Karzai was a gesture of reciprocity, as President Karzai had attended as special guest the oath-taking of President Zardari last year. Earlier, President Zardari upon his arrival at Kabul airport was accorded a warm red carpet welcome.