U.S. Defense Secretary pays surprise visit to Afghanistan

U.S. Defense Secretary pays surprise visit to Afghanistan
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Tuesday, a local media outlet reported.

"Defense Secretary Panetta arrived in Afghanistan today for an unannounced visitor," a private news service, Kabul Pressistan reported.

However, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi when approached by Xinhua expressed ignorance, saying "I have no information."

His visit to Afghanistan occurred days after beginning second phase of security transition from NATO-led troops to Afghan forces.

The second phase of handing over security charge to Afghan government begun from Parwan province 55 km north of Afghan capital Kabul on Dec. 1.

During his two-day visit, the U.S. Defense Secretary is slated to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Defence Secretary Abdul Rahim Wardak. He will also meet with General John allen, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, troops and U.S. embassy staff, according to media reports.

His visit here is the second stop on a holiday tour that began in Africa and will also take him to Iraq, Libya and Turkey.

Special Report: Afghanistan Situation

Editor: Bi Mingxin

English.news.cn   2011-12-13 21:52:01              
KABUL, Dec. 13 (Xinhua)