Ankara - The presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday recommitted themselves to cooperate on fighting terrorism and drug trafficking.

At a trilateral summit hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Presidents Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan agreed to step up cooperation and to formalize their meetings.

Ankara - The presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey were set to hold talks in the Turkish capital Ankara on Wednesday, with the topic of security set to top the agenda.

Presidents Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan are expected to commit to sharing intelligence and cooperating more closely in dealing with the Taliban extremists who freely cross the porous border between the two neighbours.

Kabul, Mar. 31 : Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has signed a law which "legalises" rape, women''s groups and the United Nations warn.

Critics claim that Karzai helped rush the bill through parliament in a bid to appease Islamic fundamentalists ahead of elections in August.

Washington - The United States on Monday welcomed an Afghan Supreme Court ruling extending President Hamid Karzai's term until an election in August.

The court ruled Sunday that Karzai should stay in power after his term ends May 22, until the elections are held.

"The United States strongly supports and welcomes this ruling," said State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid. "We believe that the continuity of government in this critical period before elections is vital and contributes to creating stability."

Kabul - The main opposition party in Afghanistan warned Monday that the decision by the Supreme Court to extend President Hamid Karzai's term until an election in August would lead the war-torn country to "political crisis and instability."

The country's high court ruled Sunday that Karzai should stay in power after his term ends May 22 until the elections are held August 20.