United Nations:  UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today urged Afghan President Hamid Karzai to forge a cooperative relationship with all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, to defuse tension in the region.

"It is very important for both Pakistani and Afghan governments to fully cooperate to work for the common effort to fight against international terrorism," he told reporters.

He was replying to a question on rising tension between Islamabad and Kabul over terrorists based in Pakistan crossing the border to commit violent acts in Afghanistan.

Ban said he is "deeply concerned" about continuing violence and political and social instability in Afghanistan and has urged Karzai to engage in all-inclusive dialogue embracing all political factions.

Regarding Pakistan's request for a United Nations-led inquiry into assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, he said the letter is still being studied and he has not yet come to any conclusion.

Source : PTI