Biden Meets With Karzai, Stresses U.S. Commitment To Afghanistan

Following a closed door meeting in Kabul Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden assured Afghan President Hamid Karzai that the U.S. will remain committed to Afghanistan as long as needed.

“We are not leaving if you don’t want us to leave,” Biden told Karzai during a joint press appearance at Karzai’s palace.

The Vice President described plans to begin measured troops withdrawals this July and a planned full-security transfer in 2014 as a “viable path forward.”

“It is not our intention to govern or to nation-build. As President Karzai often points out, this is the responsibility of the Afghan people and they are fully capable of it,” Biden said.

Biden’s trip to the embassy followed an earlier visit to a training center for the Afghan National Army. He also greeted personnel from the U.S. embassy.

This is Biden’s first trip to the country since assuming the Vice Presidency. Due to security concerns, the visit was unannounced.