US Vice-President Biden in Afghanistan on two-day visit
By ANITuesday, January 11, 2011
KABUL - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is in Afghanistan on a surprise visit.
Biden met with the commander of international troops in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, and US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry before landing in Kabul.
“The primary purpose of the trip is to assess progress toward the transition to Afghan-led security beginning this year and to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to a long-term partnership with Afghanistan,” the White House said in a statement, adding that Vice-President Biden would also call on Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday.
There are about 97,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan as part of a 140,000-strong international force.
It is expected that Biden will discuss with Karzai the progress that had been made as well as work that needed to be done before Afghan forces take charge of security.
Biden last visited Afghanistan in January 2009. (ANI)
