Karzai Seeks Support In Kandahar

Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai today flew to the southern city of Kandahar to bolster local support for the NATO stabilization campaign against Taliban insurgents in that region.

General Stanley McChrystal , the top U.S. and NATO commander, accompanied Karzai, who met tribal and provincial leaders and area residents.

The Afghan president said his government and its allies need their support to oust the Taliban from the region, which is an insurgent stronghold. Many of those assembled had expressed skepticism about the impact of the NATO campaign, which has already begun in the insurgent stronghold.

The Insurgents have responded to the campaign with attacks against those who support the government and its international partners.

compiled from agency reports