By KUNA,
Kabul : The democratic presidential hopeful Barrack Obama arrived in Afghanistan on a brief stop over on Saturday, officials here said.
This is Barack Obama’s first visit to the war-torn country since his joining the race for the November 2008 presidential elections in the United States.
The visit was kept secret and even the senior Afghan officials expressed ignorance about Obama’s landing in Afghanistan when contacted for comments.
According to local officials, the US presidential hopeful would meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai at his fortified Presidential Palace, besides meeting senior military officials.
A few days back, Obama criticised President Hamid Karzai for fortifying himself inside the palace and was unable to “come out of his bunker.” In his recent interactions with American media and the people, Obama has floated the idea of withdrawing troops from Iraq and focusing on Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan.
His visit to the Afghan capital is to convey the message that he was more interested in Afghanistan. Officials said Obama would leave for Iraq after a stop-over in Kabul.
Earlier in the day, French Defence Minister arrived on a surprise visit in Kabul.