U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is preparing to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the second day of her unannounced visit, which is reportedly aimed at encouraging Afghan reconciliation efforts.
Clinton was scheduled to meet with Karzai, other top Afghan officials, and civic leaders today.
Her trip comes as Karzai has expressed frustration with attempts to negotiate with the Taliban.
Karzai's efforts to reconcile and reintegrate fighters who renounce the insurgency was dealt a major blow with the assassination last month of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was leading Karzai's initiative.
In addition to reconciliation, Clinton will also be pressing the Afghans on reaching a security agreement that will govern U.S.-Afghanistan relations after U.S. troops leave.
Washington wants to bring most forces home by 2015 and intends to withdraw the 33,000 additional troops that President Barack Obama sent to Afghanistan two years ago in 2012.
compiled from agency reports
Clinton was scheduled to meet with Karzai, other top Afghan officials, and civic leaders today.
Her trip comes as Karzai has expressed frustration with attempts to negotiate with the Taliban.
Karzai's efforts to reconcile and reintegrate fighters who renounce the insurgency was dealt a major blow with the assassination last month of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was leading Karzai's initiative.
In addition to reconciliation, Clinton will also be pressing the Afghans on reaching a security agreement that will govern U.S.-Afghanistan relations after U.S. troops leave.
Washington wants to bring most forces home by 2015 and intends to withdraw the 33,000 additional troops that President Barack Obama sent to Afghanistan two years ago in 2012.
compiled from agency reports