Karzai leaves for US on 3-day visit

 KABUL): President Hamid Karzai, at the head of a high-level delegation, left for Washington on Monday on a three-day official visit, an official said.

Karzai will discuss with his US counterpart Barack Obama wide-ranging issues, including security, economic cooperation and political transition.

Equipping and strengthening Afghan security forces, the peace process and a bilateral security agreement are also on agenda, presidential spokesman, Aimal Faizi, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Karzai will also inquire after the National Directorate of Security (NDS) chief, Asadullah Khalid, who is currently under medical treatment at a US hospital.

Khalid was wounded in a suicide attack on Dec.6, when a bomber — posing as a Taliban peace emissary — blew himself up inside an NDS guesthouse in the Taimani neighbourhood of Kabul.

Karzai is accompanied by Foreign Minister Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, National Security Advisor Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi and Finance Minister Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal.

High Peace Council Chairman Salahuddin Rabbani, Security Transition Commission chief Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Chief of Staff to President Abdul Karim Khurram are also part of the delegation.

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