ISLAMABAD, Oct 30: President Gen Pervez Musharraf held meetings on Tuesday with the civil and military leadership against the backdrop of a blast in Rawalpindi, about 2km from his official residence.

Sources said Gen Musharraf presided over a meeting attended by Punjab Governor Lt Gen (retd) Khalid Maqbool, Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, NWFP Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai and caretaker Chief Minister Shamsul Mulk. He reiterated his government’s resolve to crush terrorism and extremism.

The meeting reviewed the overall security situation in the country with particular reference to clashes between security personnel and militants in Swat.

The NWFP governor briefed the meeting on the latest security situation in tribal areas, especially in North and South Waziristan.

The meeting also discussed security arrangements being made by federal and provincial governments for the general elections.

Security concerns being expressed by various circles in the troubled areas of the NWFP relating to the electoral process were also discussed.

President Musharraf also held meetings with Vice Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the Corps Commander of Rawalpindi and heads of security agencies and exchanged views on the efforts being made to establish the writ of the government in Swat and tribal areas, the sources said.