WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has extended an invitation to the new Afghan leaders - President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah - to visit the United States. The invitation was made during a video conference between the three leaders on Wednesday, the White House said in a statement. It said Obama commended the two Afghan leaders on their political agreement, and “reaffirmed US commitment to support the unity government, and congratulated the two leaders for a productive first month for the new government.”
The US and Afghan presidents discussed “strengthening the Afghan National Security Forces to improve the security situation in Afghanistan, American and regional support for an Afghan-led peace process, and near-term Afghan budgetary reform and longer-term fiscal sustainability.” Obama also reiterated his offer for both men to visit the White House. The initial invitation was extended in congratulatory letters Obama sent both men after they took office last month.