Presidential Palace, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met this morning at the Presidential Palace with General John Abizaid, Commander of the US Central Command.

General Abizaid noted the developments that have taken place over the past year in Afghanistan, and expressed optimism for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections that is underway in the country. Gen. Abizaid said he was in Kabul to visit the Afghan National Army headquarters and meet with.

The President and Gen. Abizaid assessed the recent increase in terrorist violence in some parts of Afghanistan and agreed that it’s the last desperate measure of the enemies of Afghanistan to disrupt the Parliamentary elections.

The President welcomed Gen. Abizaid to Afghanistan and thanked him for the coalition forces contribution in bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan. The President said that the cooperation from Coalition Forces and our neighbours was crucial for the Presidential election last October and he hoped that similar collaboration will ensure that the Parliamentary elections take place in a secure environment.