KABUL, July 29: The top US general has been shuttling between Pakistan and Afghanistan, attempting to bring America’s key allies in its war on terror together in fighting the resurgent Taliban.

Marine Gen Peter Pace, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, met President Hamid Karzai in the Afghan capital on Friday after a flying visit to neighbouring Pakistan for talks with President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

He said both leaders realised they have terrorism problems.

“One of my reasons for coming was to see how I might be able to assist in the dialogue to find a way that is good for both Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Pace told reporters in Kabul.

He would not disclose details of the talks with the two leaders.

The Taliban have sharply stepped up attacks this year, sparking the bloodiest fighting in Afghanistan since their ouster in late 2001 for hosting Osama bin Laden after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

The increased violence comes ahead of Nato’s imminent takeover of security operations in the southern provinces — the Taliban’s former stronghold.—AP