ISLAMABAD, Sept 25: President Pervez Musharraf has directed the authorities concerned to accelerate efforts for recovery of over 200 army personnel kidnapped in South Waziristan about three weeks back.

Presiding over a meeting here on Tuesday, he said the government would continue dialogue to bring down the level of resistance and militancy but it would not tolerate kidnapping of armed forces personnel.

The meeting discussed the situation in the tribal areas, the status of military operation and the new wave of large-scale kidnappings of security personnel.

NWFP Governor Ali Jan Aurakzai briefed the meeting about the status of dialogue for the recovery of the security personnel and expressed hope about an early result of the talks.

Gen Musharraf directed the authorities concerned to take appropriate steps to ensure safe recovery of the kidnapped personnel.

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao informed the meeting about steps taken for beefing up security in the NWFP and investigation into various terrorist acts, including the bomb explosion in Ghazi which killed more than 20 commandos.

President Musharraf reiterated the government’s resolve to crush extremist and militant elements in the tribal areas and the NWFP.