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

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."

Criticism

Pro-Karzai politicians, such as Khalid Pashtoon, admit corruption and security are still huge problems, but say the president does not deserve all of the blame.

He said: "He may not be the best president but, so far, we have no other alternative and President Karzai did a lot of good things for the country."

Pashtoon says after 30 years of war, bringing together a divided nation is a difficult task, especially while trying to appease the international community too.

"President Karzai is not the type of president that he decides everything. Now Afghanistan is almost handled by the whole world," he said.

Bush is the key player and when he meets Karzai at Camp David he is unlikely to receive news of a foreign policy success, Nolan said.

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