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Karzai, Levin talk BSA, ties

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24 Oct 2013 - 21:30
author avatar
24 Oct 2013 - 21:30

KABUL): President Hamid Karzai has met with a senior American politician, Senator Carl Levin, who chairs the US Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Karzai Office in a statement said Thursday’s meeting that took place at the Presidential Palace in Kabul focused on the bilateral security agreement (BSA) between Afghanistan and the US and relations between the two countries.

After claiming progress on some contentious issues regarding the BSA, Afghanistan and the US have agreed that a final decision whether to approve the security deal should come from a consultative Loya Jirga to be held in late November.

Afghan Defence Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi on Thursday said he was confident the Loya Jirga would pass the deal.

Karzai and Levin also discussed regional issues at the meeting that came a day after NATO defence ministers wrapped up a two-day summit, vowing to continue assisting and training Afghan forces beyond 2014.

At the meeting, President Karzai said his country was interested in a long-term partnership with the United States as long as Afghanistan’s interests were respected.

For his part, Senator Levin said the United States also wanted enhanced relations with Afghanistan.

Presidential advisor on National Security Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta and advisor on international relations Yahya Maroofi were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, President Karzai visited Darul Aman area in Kabul, where construction work on a new building for the Parliament House is underway.

A separate statement from the Karzai Office said speakers of both houses of Parliament and ministers of finance, public works, urban development and Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Amar Sinna, accompanied Karzai on the visit to the site.

Sinna, whose country has funded the $150 million project, briefed Karzai on the construction affairs.

Karzai, who inspected the building, thanked the Indian government and praised Indian engineers and workers for their efforts for making the project a success.

mrh /ma

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