Obama to host new Afghan leaders at White House on March 24

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Obama will host the leaders of Afghanistan’s new unity government for their first White House visit next month.

The White House says Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and chief executive Abdullah Abdullah will visit March 24. Abdullah’s post is similar to a prime minister.

The meeting comes as the White House considers slowing its military exit from Afghanistan by keeping a larger-than-planned troop presence this year.

It’s the leaders’ first visit since they formed a unity government after an election to replace former President Hamid Karzai, whose relations with the U.S. grew increasingly strained.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the leaders will discuss security and economic development during a working lunch. Ghani will also meet with Secretary of State John Kerry at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.