No deal on Afghan border security

Khurshid Kasuri says Pakistan is doing its best to curb the violence

Pakistan and Afghanistan have ended talks with no sign of progress on plans to hold cross-border tribal councils to combat Taleban violence.

After meeting in Kabul, the two countries' foreign ministers said they placed "great emphasis" on such councils, but no date was set.

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 1,400-mile (2,250km) mountainous border which is extremely difficult to patrol.

Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters are thought to be operating on both sides.

The two countries regularly exchange charge and counter-charge over who is to blame for the violence.

'Major obstacle'

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri arrived in Kabul on Thursday and held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Both sides agreed on the common objectives to promoting peace Pakistani-Afghan joint statement

Afterward Mr Karzai said he was running out of patience with cross-border attacks.

His office said in a statement:

"The president emphasised that the Afghan people desired to have strong and friendly relations with Pakistan.

"However, the continuation of violence perpetrated by terrorists from across the border was a major obstacle," his office said in a statement.

On Friday Kasuri met his Afghan counterpart, Rangeen Dadfar Spanta.

The talks focused on border security and proposals for tribal councils, or jirgas, aimed at allowing the ordinary people of both countries to speak out in favour of peace and security.

But the statement released by two ministers said: "Both sides agreed on the common objectives to promoting peace, security and prosperity."

The statement gave no details about jirgas.

Aid appeal

Afghan as well as Nato officials have accused Pakistan of allowing the Taleban to operate from its soil.

Fighting in Afghanistan continues to attract international criticism

After the talks Mr Kasuri admitted that militants were making cross-border attacks, but said his government was doing its best to stop them.

"This is happening despite Pakistan," he told reporters.

Pakistan says the main problem is Kabul's failure to bring security and a better life to southern Afghanistan.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has said force alone will not defeat the Taleban.

He has appealed for a massive injection of reconstruction aid and advocated political engagement with what he calls elements who support peace.

The Pakistanis say this is the strategy they are following in their tribal areas near the border, although critics say deals with the local tribesmen have only empowered militants there.