Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday termed the terrorists as a defeated phenomenon in his country and stressed for change in strategy in the ongoing war on terrorism.

"The nature of the war on terrorism in Afghanistan has changed now. Al-Qaida's defeat is visible in Afghanistan," he told journalists at his fortified palace.

Backing his proposal, the Afghan leader added:"Afghanistan now has a constitution, a president, a parliament, therefore we do not think that there is a serious terrorist challenge emanating from Afghanistan."

His comment came just two days after holding the key parliamentary elections in which over six million Afghans cast their votes to elect the members of parliament and provincial councils directly in the post-war nation.

Criticizing the reported house-to-house search by US military in parts of the insurgency-plagued southern and eastern region, the president furiously said that no one has the right to enter Afghan homes without government's permission.

"Go to the Afghan homes, searching Afghan house without the authorization of the government of Afghanistan should stop now. No coalition forces should go to Afghan homes without the authorization of the Afghan government," he said.

The US troops, according to Afghan sources, in their operations against Taliban and al-Qaida operatives entered the houses of locals in certain parts of the country and took suspects into custody besides harassing the locals.

Afghan president in the past also raised the matter with the US commanders and asked them to coordinate their operations with local authorities.

Even in his meeting with President Bush at White House last April he raised the issue but the US leader insisted on freedom of action of his forces in Afghanistan.

Commenting on the low turnout of Afghans to the polling stations Sunday than last year's presidential election, President Karzai said that many had cast their votes last year and did not want to bother themselves this time.

However, he was appreciative of people's participation by saying over 6 million Afghans braved terrorists' threat and made the polls a success.

Replying a question on corruption in government departments, the president confirmed the presence of the menace and said his administration had determined to eliminate the corruption as well as illicit drug from the society.

Source: Xinhua