Obama promises long-term support to Afghanistan

KABUL, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama promised long-term support to Afghanistan when he met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the Presidential Palace on Sunday, a statement released by Karzai's office said.

Matters pertaining situation in Afghanistan, regional stability, fight against drug, war on terror and enhancing Kabul-Washington relations were discussed, the statement added.

Both sides had exchanged views on boosting economic relations between Afghanistan and the United States and on bolstering reconstruction process of the post-Taliban nation in the meeting, the statement said.

Afghan president, according to the statement, expressed his gratitude for the role that the U.S. government and its people played in the rebuilding of the war-torn central Asian state.

Senator Obama arrived in Afghanistan on Saturday as the head of three-member Senate delegation.

On Saturday he visited Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, and met with Nangarhar provincial governor. Senator Obama also visited U.S. troops stationed there.

The Democratic presidential contender who criticized Afghan government weeks ago had promised additional troops to Afghanistan to bolster war on terror after winning the coming elections.

The statement added that the delegation during the meeting noted that both the Democratic and Republican parties have been supporting long-term presence of U.S. in Afghanistan.

During his tour to Afghanistan, Obama also visited U.S. forces headquarters at Bagram, 50 km north of Kabul, and praised their role in Afghanistan.

Obama is expected to tour Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Germany afterwards.