Afghan President Visits Kabul Mosque

Hamid Karzai (file photo) (epa) December 30, 2006 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai paid a surprise visit to a Kabul mosque today on the occasion of the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Adha.

Observers said security was unusually relaxed for the visit. Karzai has survived two assassination attempts since coming into office in 2001.

The Afghan president reportedly hugged people and followed the Afghan tradition of giving money to children to mark the Eid festival.

(Reuters)