Islamabad: Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf formally welcomed US President George W Bush at his official residence in Islamabad.
The US President inspected a guard of honor guard in the forecourt before walking inside for talks.
Bush, who wrapped up his three-day landmark visit to India, arrived in Islamabad amidst unprecedented security arrangements on Friday. He could hardly have chosen a more turbulent time to visit his staunchest ally in the South Asian region.
Security concerns for both President Bush and President Musharraf was so high that in a departure from protocol, the American President did not stayed in the presidential palace or even a hotel but within the embassy compounds in Islamabad.
The entire political opposition along with the public led a nationwide strike and angry protests were staged shortly before Bush and his wife Laura touched down, while a suicide car bombing on Thursday killed a US diplomat in the southern city of Karachi.
There are reports that several protesting leaders including Imran Khan have been put under house arrest.
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Anti-US protests erupted across Pakistan, with crowds burning American flags and chanting "Death to Bush" hours before US President George W Bush was to arrive for a visit to show solidarity in the war on terror.
Police swung batons as they dispersed about 1,000 protesters, mostly students, in the city of Rawalpindi, just a few kilometers from where Bush's plane was expected to land.
Police used tear gas and batons to stop the stone-throwing crowd that came within 200 meters of the building.
Over 300 university students rallied in Islamabad, burning an effigy of Bush.
"I will meet with President Musharraf to discuss Pakistan's vital cooperation in the war on terror and our effort to foster economic and political development so we could reduce the appeal of radical Islam," Bush said in New Delhi late on Friday.
"I believe a prosperous democratic Pakistan would be a steadfast partner for America and a peaceful neighbour for India and a force for freedom and moderation in the Arab world," he added.
For Pakistan the visit is a chance to consolidate its relationship with Washington, after Bush hailed a new strategic partnership with New Delhi that he said could "transform the world".
"This is a very important visit which will further broaden and deepen the existing bilateral cooperation. We are looking forward to further solidifying our cooperation," Pakistani foreign office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said.
The US has been pursuing a delicate balancing act in seeking to boost relations with India at the same time as preserving its ties with Pakistan.
"It would be a message to US investors that Pakistan is a destination where US investors can go," she added.
Later on Saturday, Bush, an avid baseball fan, was expected to meet Pakistani cricket captain Inzamam-ul Haq, vice captain Younis Khan and opener Salman Butt as well as young cricket-playing children.
With Agency inputs
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