Obama in Afghanistan on surprise trip

KABUL: US President Barack Obama arrived in Afghanistan late Tuesday on a surprise visit a year after American elite Navy SEALs killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Obama was expected to sign a strategic partnership on future US-Afghan ties once American troops have pulled out of Afghanistan in 2014 with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, White House officials said.

The US president, making only his third trip to Afghanistan since taking over as commander-in-chief in 2009, arrived at 10:20 pm (1750GMT) and was also to address the American people from Bagram airbase at 2330 GMT, an official said.

Obama's last trip in December 2010 lasted only a few hours when he flew into Bagram air base, outside Kabul, to meet US troops but he did not meet with Karzai. (AFP)