Arg, Kabul – His Excellency Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, left for London this morning on a four-day state visit.

During this visit, President Hamid Karzai will meet with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Excellency Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of Britain, His Royal Highness Prince Charles and some other British authorities to discuss bilateral relations, regional issues, and the role of Britain in Afghanistan's reconstruction, the strengthening of security, and the training of the Afghan national army.

President Hamid Karzai will address students, teachers, scientists and researchers at the Oxford Union on a wide range of issues related to Afghanistan.

The President is accompanied on this trip by Dr Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zalmai Rasoul, National Security Advisor and Humayun Hamidzada, Spokesman to the President.

For further information, please contact:

Office of the Spokesman to the President

Tel.:   00 93 797 163 355

00 93 799 302 145

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan