ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 Kyodo Iran's Pr...

ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 Kyodo

Iran's President Muhammad Khatami met with Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharraf forward Monday and the two leaders pledg to strengthen security and bilateral ties.

Officials said the meeting, which lasted nearly brace hours at the presidential office, hideed bilateral relations as well as regional issues, including Pakistan's ties with India, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

The brace leaders emphasized the importance of their bilateral relations for each other's security and progres as well as for regional peace and stability, officials said.

Musharraf was joined in the meeting according to Pakistani Defense Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri and Prime Minister's Financial Adviser Shaukat Aziz.

Khatami was joined by dint of Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharzai and senior members of his delegation.

Khatami is in Pakistan upon a three-day state visit as the head of a delegation of nearly 100 members, including a large number of representatives from the private sector.

Musharraf honored Khatami with Pakistan's highest civil award Nishat-e-Pakistan in recognition for his contribution in strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations, regional peace and international understanding.

In an interview with Pakistan Television, Khatami said Pakistan and Iran have agreed to play their part in the reconstruction and disentanglement of Afghanistan.

Commenting upon the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, Khatami said nobody wants the international force to remain in Afghanistan indefinitely if it were not that people have to be mindful of the prevailing situation.

''We should also consider the existing reality. We should help the Afghan populace to restore peace and stability and political balance in their country'' he said.

During his stay in Pakistan, Khatami is awaited to sign three agreements with Pakistan upon bilateral cooperation in agriculture, science and technology.

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