Iranian minister goes to Pakistan for Afghan talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Mr Kamal Kharazi left Tehran early today for Islamabad where he will meet Pakistani officials to discuss…

Iranian Foreign Minister Mr Kamal Kharazi left Tehran early today for Islamabad where he will meet Pakistani officials to discuss the Afghan crisis, state radio reported.

It said Mr Kharazi will meet Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharraf during his two-day trip.

Pakistan and Iran have taken opposite sides of the Afghan conflict since the Taliban took Kabul with Islamabad's support in 1996.

Shiite majority Iran is deeply suspicious of the radical Sunni Taliban militia and has supported the opposition Northern Alliance.

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But the two countries have increased contacts following the Taliban's collapse this month in response to calls for an end to foreign interference in Afghan affairs.

Earlier this month, Gen Musharraf made a brief surprise visit to Tehran.

His visit was followed by trips to Islamabad by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mr Mohsen Aminzadeh and Interior Minister Mr Abdolvahed Mussavi Lari.

AFP