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Afghanistan - Britain

Karzai first to hold talks with Britain's new Prime Minister

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has become the first foreign leader to meet Britain's new Prime Minister, David Cameron, since the Tory leader took office. Karzai arrived in London early Saturday morning after four days on tension-easing talks in Washington.

Reuters
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Karzai’s office said the Afghan president would congratulate Cameron, Britain’s new conservative leader, on forming a government.

The pair are holding talks at Chequers, the prime minister's official country residence, on expanding and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Karzai’s visit comes just days after Cameron put Afghanistan at the top of Britain's foreign policy agenda.

Britain is the second-largest troop contributor to the Nato-led forces in Afghanistan, with 9,500 troops based mainly in southern Helmand province.

Cameron renewed Britain's support for the US strategy in Afghanistan in a telephone conversation with US President Barack Obama shortly after he entered Downing Street for the first time on Tuesday.

At a joint press conference with Karzai at the White House, Obama said he and Cameron had confirmed "the extraordinary special relationship between the United States and Great Britain".

Karzai wrapped up his four-day tour by visiting US troops in Kentucky, who were about to de deployed to Afghanistan. The aim is to play down tensions and reaffirm US-Afghan relations.

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