UK Prime Minister David Cameron has promised new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that Britain will always be a “strong partner and good friend”.
Mr Cameron, on an unannounced visit to Kabul, said British armed forces had paid a “very high price” for their involvement in Afghanistan.
Mr Ghani also thanked the families of those who had lost their lives there.
British forces have gone “a long way” towards achieving their objectives in the country, Mr Cameron added.
Earlier Mr Cameron visited RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus from where RAF Tornados are launching air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq.
Mr Cameron is the first world leader to meet Afghanistan’s new government.
BBC deputy political editor James Landale said Mr Cameron, who will also be holding talks with new Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah — effectively Afghanistan’s prime minister — wanted to “get in early” with the new leadership.
Mr Ghani took office four days ago after coming to a power-sharing agreement with presidential rival Mr Abdullah, BBC informs.
