Wednesday, September 27 2006 10:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: President George W Bush yesterday (Sept 26, 2006)asserted that it was in the interest of Pakistan and Afghanistan to bring al-Qaeda terror network's chief Osama bin Laden to justice.

"It's in (Afghan) President (Hamid) Karzai's interest to see bin Laden brought to justice. It's in (Pakistan) President (Pervez) Musharraf's intereest to see bin Laden brought to justice. Our interests coincide," Bush said at a joint press appearance with Karzai at the White House.

In his remarks, Karzai said the most important element of Musharraf's recent deal with tribal chiefs was that it must not allow terrorists to cross into Afghanistan.

"My initial impression was that this was a deal signed with the Taliban. And then later I learned that they had actually signed with the tribal chiefs," he said.

"But for us, for the United States, for the allies against terror, the most important element here is item number one in this agreement: that the terrorists will not be allowed to cross over into Afghanistan to attack the coalition against terror that is, the international community and Afghanistan together" Karzai said.

Bush said, From my discussions with President Karzai and President (Pervez) Musharraf, there is an understanding that by working together it is more likely that all of us can achieve a common objective, which are stable societies that are hopeful societies that prevent extremists from stopping progress and denying people a hopeful world."

"I know that's what President Karzai thinks and I know that's how President Musharraf thinks," he said adding he was looking forward to their three-way meeting and 'Iftar' dinner at the White House today (Sept 27,2006).