KABUL: US President Barack Obama, keen to reset relations with Afghanistan that soured under longtime President Hamid Karzai, has invited the leaders of Afghanistan’s new unity government to visit the White House early next year.
The new Afghan leadership comes at a crucial time as American combat troops draw down after 13 years and a remaining US force of about 10,000 shifts to a support role for Afghan security forces taking over the fight against Taliban insurgents.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, spoke with Obama via video conference on Wednesday, a White House statement said. Obama congratulated the two former rivals on forming their unity government.
He reiterated an invitation to the US for both leaders that was made in a letter soon after the government was formed. Obama discussed ways to strengthen the Afghan police and army as well as budget reforms to shore up the cash-strapped Kabul government's finances.
Exhibition in London
Meanwhile, the British military’s 13 years in Afghanistan is recounted in a new exhibition that opened in London yesterday, weeks before its combat forces pull out with the country facing an uncertain future.
Visitors to “War Story: Afghanistan 2014” at the Imperial War Museum can see a suicide bomber’s vest stuffed with ball-bearings, a Taliban motorcycle and a surveillance drone as well as hear British and Afghan forces talk about their experiences.
Agencies
