Afghanistan

Kabul to join Obama's review of war on terror

Article published on the 2009-02-15 Latest update 2009-02-15 11:06 TU

Karzai (R) shakes hand with Holbrooke
(Photo: Reuters)

Afghanistan is to take part in the review of the US's strategic review of the seven-year-old "war on terror", Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced after meeting US envoy Richard Holbrooke on Saturday. Afghans are also to be more closely involved in international military operations in the country.

"I am very, very thankful that president Obama has accepted my proposal of Afghanistan joining the strategic review of the war against terrorism in the United States," Karzai said after meeting Holbrooke.

A delegation led by Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta will go to Washington to take part in the reassessment, he said.

As members of President Barak Obama's administration criticise his government, Karzai has raised Afghan complaints about civilian casualties during operations by US-led foreign troops in the country.

A deal announced during the week will allow Afghans to work more closely in the planning and execution of military operations, according to a joint Afghan-US statement on Saturday.

"We have come here to listen and to learn your points of view," Holbrooke said, declaring that his visit aimed to "to reaffirm America's commitment to the effort in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda".

Two foreign soldiers have been killed over the weekend so far. One of them is a British marine, the other's nationality has not been made public.

In Russia today there are low-key commemorations of the end of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan 20 years ago. Wreaths have been laid at memorials and medals presented to veterans.