Musharraf Talks at Peace Jirga

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf  today pledged to fight the "particularly dark form" of extremism that afflicts his country and Afghanistan, speaking to 600 tribal leaders from the two countries at the close of a peace jirga in Kabul, the AP reports. He said the rise of militancy is preventing the two countries from reaping the benefits of globalization while the rest of the world is "forging ahead."

Musharraf spoke at the four-day tribal council held to address the increasing violence in Afghanistan after being a no-show at the gathering's opening, embarrassing Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Fighting extremism requires changing a "state of mind," said Musharraf. While he and his Karzai entered the jirga to a standing ovation, both leaders' positions remain rocky. (More Pakistan stories.)