KABUL, Afghanistan, April 9 (UPI) — Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Afghanistan on Saturday on an unannounced trip to meet with leaders and show support for the country’s government.
While in Kabul, Kerry will meet with various government leaders to discuss relations between the United States and Afghanistan, as well as government infighting between President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.
In 2014 Kerry was involved in persuading political rivals Ghani and Abdullah to share power in order to unify the national government.
Before the trip, Ambassador Richard Olson said their partnership has persisted despite their political differences and opposition from the Taliban.
“There have been challenges both in terms of politics, but also in terms of the resilience…of the Taliban,” he said.
In his meetings with the two leaders Kerry will emphasize his support for the government and “the importance of encouraging continued international donor support,” according to State Department spokesman John Kirby.
Kerry is also set to meet with Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and members of the High Peace Council to discuss the relationship between the two countries through the U.S.-Afghanistan Bilateral Commission.
“The meeting is an opportunity for U.S. and Afghan leaders to discuss areas of mutual interest and cooperation, and to outline progress in the areas highlighted in our Strategic Partnership Agreement: security and defense, democracy and governance, and social and economic development,” Kirby said.
The U.S. currently plans to lower the number of troops stationed in Afghanistan from 9,800 to 5,500 by the beginning of next year.
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