President Bush is to host a three-way meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf later this month.

Presidential spokesman Tony Snow said in a statement that the September 27 meeting at the White House will allow the leaders to discuss further cooperation in enhancing their trilateral relationship.

Mr. Bush also is to meet with the leaders separately, Mr. Musharraf on September 22 and Mr. Karzai on September 26.

Afghanistan is experiencing an increase in deadly violence from Taleban insurgents.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained recently over accusations from Afghan officials that Pakistan is not doing enough to fight militants who have crossed into Pakistan. Pakistan says it is doing everything it can to fight the militants.