President Barack Obama warned last night of more violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but said his government was still committed to defeating al-Qaeda, while trying to avoid civilian deaths on those countries.
Mr Obama brought the Afghan and Pakistani presidents to the White House and said both leaders - heavily criticised by his administration in the past - had reaffirmed their commitment to the battle against al-Qaeda.
But the deaths of dozens of Afghan civilians this week, apparently in US-led air strikes, cast a shadow on the talks.
"The road ahead will be difficult. There will be more violence and there will be setbacks," Mr Obama said, with Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai and Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari at his side.
"But let me be clear - the United States has made a lasting commitment to defeat al-Qaeda but also to support the democratically elected sovereign governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. That commitment will not waiver and that support will be sustained."
The Red Cross said dozens of Afghans died after US-led air strikes in Farah province this week while local officials said more than 100 civilians may have been killed. If that figure is confirmed it would make it among the deadliest incidents involving Afghan civilians since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered her deep regret for the incident, without implying US responsibility for it. An American official who asked not to be named said it appeared that US bombing may have caused the deaths.
The Obama administration has sharply criticised both Mr Karzai and Mr Zardari in the past, questioning their commitment and capability to tackle the threat from al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Reuters