Pakistan's newly sworn-in president, Asif Ali Zardari, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai have said they will stand together to fight terrorism.

Mr Zardari said at a joint news conference shortly after he took the oath of office he had a "comprehensive plan" to fight Islamist militants.

Mr Zardari was swept to the presidency in a parliamentary vote following Pervez Musharraf's resignation.

He faces an economy in crisis and a rampant Islamist insurgency.

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Many Pakistanis, who see inflation and a faltering economy as their main concerns, had been expecting a policy statement.

Domestic political troubles were also shunted aside in the question and answer session that seemed to focus more on sending positive messages to the international community, our correspondent says.

'Twins joined'

Mr Zardari paid tribute to his late wife, saying: "I accept the presidency of Pakistan in the name of... Benazir Bhutto. I accept this in her name and in the name of all the martyrs of democracy."

He took over leadership of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) from her after she was assassinated in December.

With Mr Karzai at his side, Mr Zardari said: "Pakistan intends to work with you, along with you."

He said the government of Pakistan "already has a comprehensive plan" to fight militancy.

Pakistan and Afghanistan were like "twins joined" said Mr Karzai. "They are inseparable," he said, adding that they suffered "the same problems, the same evils."

He added: "Afghanistan will be there in each step that you take in our joint struggle for peace and prosperity in the region... in each step that you take in the war against terrorism."

In the past, Mr Karzai has accused Pakistan of not doing enough to stop militants crossing into Afghanistan to launch attacks.

But repairing relations with Afghanistan is just one of the tasks facing Pakistan's new president.

His greatest challenge will be how to develop an effective policy to deal with the Islamist insurgency, say analysts.

This will include dealing with an increasingly aggressive US ally, which has stepped up direct strikes against militant targets in Pakistan's border region.

'Long live Bhutto'

Mr Zardari was smiling nervously as he stumbled through his oath-taking ceremony as the 12th president of Pakistan, our correspondent says.

Mr Zardari's son Bilawal - co-chairman of the PPP - was in the audience with his two sisters Bakhtawar and Asifa and Benazir Bhutto's sister Sanam, who shed tears as the ceremony was about to begin.

Mr Zardari was greeted by applause and a fanfare as he entered the hall. After he took the oath there were cries of "long live Bhutto".

Pakistan's president is elected by secret ballots in the national and four provincial assemblies.

Mr Zardari won 481 votes out of 702, far more than the 352 that would have guaranteed him victory, leaving his two rivals trailing far behind.

The vote was forced by the resignation of Mr Musharraf, who stepped down after nine years in office to avoid government moves to impeach him.

Mr Zardari is one of Pakistan's most controversial politicians.

For years he has been hounded by allegations of massive corruption - although he has never been convicted.

His party had ruled in a coalition with the PML-N since elections in February.

But former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took his PML-N out of the coalition last month, accusing Mr Zardari of breaking key promises.

Many in Pakistan fear the country is facing a return to an old-style politics of confrontation.

Are you in Pakistan? Are you optimistic or pessimistic for the future with Mr Zardari as president? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.

(BBC)

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