KABUL - Militants have sanctuaries outside Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said on Tuesday, supporting President Hamid Karzai's stance on peace talk with Pakistan, not Taliban.
President Hamid Karzai on Monday accused Pakistan of failing to support his country in combating terrorism, regretting Islamabad's non-cooperation in ridding the region of the scourge.

"There is no doubt that the Pakistani people are supportive of our peace efforts. We hope the Pakistan government will also back our Endeavour," the president said in a televised address to the nation.

He stressed: "We have always said that the war on terror should not be fought in Afghan villages, not in houses of the poor and oppressed Afghans, but against militant sanctuaries, funding sources and training bases."

Regarding Karzai's speech a spokesman for the NATO-led force said they would support any step of the Afghan government toward peace and stability.

Direct Afghan-Pakistan talks on promoting reconciliation would be productive, ISAF spokesman Carsten Jacobson told a news conference in Kabul.

NATO had always encouraged Pakistan to fight terrorism and struggle for peace in the region, said Dominic Medley, a spokesman for NATO's senior civilian representative.
Jacobson said international soldiers could not fight against insurgents outside Afghanistan.

Medley said NATO soldiers would review their mission and discuss ways of fighting militants outside Afghanistan.