US president reassures on Afghan security

KABUL, Monday

President George W. Bush told Afghan President Hamid Karzai today the United States would stand by the war-torn country despite a transition of power at the White House.

Moving from one war zone to another, Mr Bush flew secretly from Baghdad to Kabul, landing under cover of darkness for talks with Mr Karzai and meetings with US troops spearheading the fight against a resurgent Taliban.

“I told the president you can count on the United States. Just like you’ve been able to count on this administration, you will be able to count on the next administration as well,” Mr Bush told a news conference in the Afghan capital alongside Mr Karzai.

On a farewell visit to Baghdad yesterday, meant to mark greater security in Iraq after years of bloodshed, an Iraqi reporter called Mr Bush a “dog” and threw his shoes at him.

After Air Force One touched down at Bagram air base outside Kabul under heavy security, Mr Bush strode across the tarmac and into a giant tent where hundreds of troops greeted him with raucous cheers as he thanked them for their service.

“I am confident we will succeed in Afghanistan because our cause is just,” he told them.

Mr Bush, who has already ordered a troop increase in Afghanistan, appeared to lend tacit support to President-elect Barack Obama’s pledge to increase troop levels even more after he takes office on January 20. (Reuters)