US Senator Barack Obama visits Afghanistan

Kabul: US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Sunday.

Obama has previously criticised Karzai, but said the purpose of this trip was to listen rather than deliver strong messages.

Obama, part of a congressional delegation, was at the
heavily guarded Afghan presidential palace in Kabul and was having lunch with Karzai, a palace official said.

Earlier, Obama shared breakfast with US troops in Kabul, where he met many soldiers and sailors.

Obama's visit to Afghanistan is part of a congressional fact-finding tour that is also expected to take him to Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and Britain. On Friday, Obama visited Kuwait.

Security was tight and media access to Obama was limited by his campaign, and his itinerary in the war zones was a closely guarded secret.

Traveling with Obama were military veterans and Senators Chuck Hagel and Jack Reed. The senators have been mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates.

Obama has proposed sending two more combat brigades, about 7,000 troops, to Afghanistan.