国际英语新闻：U.S. president pays sudden visit to Afghanistan

KABUL, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The United States President Barack Obama arrived here Sunday night to pay a sudden visit to Afghanistan.

An official with Afghanistan's Presidential Palace said that the U.S. president was having meeting with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai at the moment.

The official rejected to be identified as he was not authorized to disclose the information due to security concerns.

The official said Obama arrived here late on Sunday, adding that after meeting with Karzai, the U.S. president is to meet Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Afghanistan's military officials and cabinet members.

Local analysts said Obama and Karzai are to discuss on Afghanistan's efforts of battling corruptions and poppy production, which is believed to be the major financial resources of the Taliban.

The two leaders are to discuss on the reintegration and reconciliation process which was launched by the Afghan government.

It was Obama's first tour in Afghanistan after he took the presidency in January 2009.

He paid a visit here as a senator and a presidential candidate in 2008.