国际英语新闻：Obama reaffirms U.S. commitment to Afghanistan's stability

WASHINGTON, May 12 (Xinhua) -- President Barack Obama on Wednesday reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Afghanistan's security and prosperity, saying the country is still facing severe challenges although some progress have been made.

"I have reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to an Afghanistan that is stable, strong and prosperous," Obama told reporters at the joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the White House.

According to Obama, Karzai's visit is an opportunity for both sides to assess the progress of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and to advance the strong partnership between the two countries which is based on mutual interest and respect.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai attend a joint press conference after their meeting at the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, May 12, 2010.

After 30 years of war, Afghanistan still faces daily challenges in delivering basic services and security to its people while confronting a brutal insurgency," said Obama.

He reiterated that U.S. strategy in Afghanistan is centered at disrupting, dismantling and defeating al-Qaida and its extremist allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan and to prevent its capacity to threaten America and U.S. allies in the future.

He promised that the United States will continue to work with our Afghan and international partners to do everything in their power to avoid actions that harm the Afghan people during the implementation of the strategy.