Karzai to meet Bush at Camp David

Increasing Afghan civilian deaths caused by foreign forces have drawn heavy criticism for Karzai [AFP ]

Hamid Karzai is on his way to Camp David for a summit with his US counterpart, George Bush, to discuss issues from the "war on terror" to booming opium production. South Korea has said it hoped Sunday's meeting between the two presidents could break the deadlock in negotiations for the release of 21 aid workers held hostage by the Taliban.

But the continuing unrest in the country is likely to top the agenda. Violence in Afghanistan is now at its worst level since 2001 and the rising number of civilian deaths has inflamed public opinion, increased hostilities to foreign troops and further strained Karzai's credibility.

With increasing civilian deaths caused by foreign forces and a decrease in security across the country, Karzai's critics say he is a failing president.

Ahmed Shah Ahmedzai, a former prime minister turned political analyst, says most of the Afghan people have lost faith in their leader.

He said: "Ten per cent of people may say he is good and this will only be those people around him getting benefits. Ninety per cent of people are unhappy."

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