Obama boosts confidence for Afghan gov't, U.S. troops

KABUL, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The United States President Barack Obama paid a sudden visit to Afghanistan on Sunday night, in a bid to boost confidence for the Afghan government and the U.S. troops stationed in the post-Taliban nation.

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, March 28, 2010. (Xinhua/Ahmad Masood, Pool)

On his blitz tour, the U.S. president firstly had meeting with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai.  

During his meeting with Karzai, Obama and Karzai discussed Afghanistan's efforts of battling corruption and poppy production, which is believed to be the major financial resources of the Taliban. Obama expressed encouragement over Afghanistan's progress but urging Karzai and his government to further improve the governance and to better fight corruption.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the reintegration and reconciliation process which was launched by the Afghan government.

Obama invited Karzai to pay a visit to the U.S. on May 12.

Obama, the U.S. military commander in chief as well, had meeting with Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Afghanistan's military officials and cabinet members.

Obama later addressed the U.S. military service-members at the Bagram air base, several km off the capital city of Kabul.

The U.S. military commander in chief expressed gratitude to the U.S. troops noting that their mission in Afghanistan is "necessary and essential" for the security of the U.S. people.

U.S. lives would be at risk if the Taliban retake control of Afghanistan, Obama told the U.S. troops.