Afghan FM arrives in Islamabad for security talks

Afghan Foreign Minister, Salahuddin Rabbani, arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for talks on security issues, focusing on anti-terror cooperation, Afghan embassy officials said.

Rabbani is leading a high level delegation that also includes acting Afghan defence minister, Masoom Stanekzai and intelligence chief, Rahmatullah Nabil, the sources told Xinhua.

The visit is important to the two countries in the wake of attacks in Kabul and parts of Afghanistan.

Kabul also put a stop on the Pakistan-brokered peace talks with the Taliban, dashing hopes for reconciliation.

Pakistan's top security adviser, Sartaj Aziz, hoped that the misunderstanding would be removed during the talks. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he said Pakistan wants resumption of the negotiations and his country favours the Afghan-led process.

The Afghan delegation will hold formal talks with Aziz, and other officials on bilateral issues later on Thursday.

It is the first high-level contact between the two countries after the Taliban confirmed the death of their leader Mullah Muhammad Omar.

Pakistan postponed the peace talks at the Taliban request due to Omar's death.

Taliban have increased attacks in Kabul and urban parts of Afghanistan under the new leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. Endi