WASHINGTON, Sept 23: Beaming with a new confidence after a key strategic meeting with his US counterpart, President General Pervez Musharraf has renewed his pledge to fight terrorism in all its forms “whether it is by the Taliban, Al Qaeda or any other group.”

“Extremism prevents economic development and creates poverty. Poverty and deprivation beget terrorism,” he told a gathering of Pakistani-Americans on Friday evening. “We need to break this vicious circle.”

President Musharraf met US President George W. Bush at the White House on Friday. Their talks ended on an upbeat note with both the leaders expressing full confidence in each other on all counts and pledging to intensify cooperation in the war against terror. This was their second meeting in six months and fifth since 2002 when they first met.

President Musharraf said Pakistan would fight terrorism not only for its own good but also for the good of other nations.