Meanwhile, a joint statement by the U.S., Pakistan and Afghanistan "reaffirmed the importance of pursuing multiple channels and contacts" with militants seeking to overthrow the Afghan government. It said reconciliation would be discussed during Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf's upcoming visit to Kabul and Afghan mediator Salahuddin Rabbani's visit to Islamabad. "These visits should determine and implement additional concrete steps to advance Afghan reconciliation," the statement said. --SPA 11:02 LOCAL TIME 08:02 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1013917