Saudi Arabia's King, Pakistan's military president need for fighting terrorism

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and Pakistan's military president pledged to strengthen cooperation and stressed the need to fight terrorism, local media said Thursday. Abdullah met with President Gen. Pervez Musharraf after arriving in the capital, Islamabad, on Wednesday, the first visit by a Saudi monarch in 30 years.

The two leaders discussed regional and international issues along with economic cooperation, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan news agency reported late Wednesday. Abdullah, visiting for two days, received Pakistan's highest award, Nishan-e-Pakistan, for his services to promote ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the Dawn newspaper reported Thursday.

In their discussions, Abdullah and Musharraf stressed the need to eradicate terrorism, local media said. "We reaffirm our common commitment to fight terrorism that poses a danger to all faiths and all societies," Musharraf was quoted as saying by The News International, an English-language Daily.

The Pakistani leader added, "Nothing can justify disrupting of stability, progress and development in a society and killing of innocent people," APP reported.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, both U.S. allies in the war against terrorism, have fought homegrown Islamic militants in recent years. In a banquet speech Wednesday, Abdullah said he hoped that the continuing peace process between Pakistan and India would be successful, The News reported.

"We appreciate your keenness for peace in our region and we in turn are keen about your region, that it does not become subject of destructive force," The News quoted the king as saying, reports the AP. I.L.