U.S. To Spend $500 Million On Kabul Embassy

U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry briefs press about the new building

The United States has announced it would spend $511 million to expand its embassy in Kabul.

Speaking at the construction site, Ambassador Karl Eikenberry said the work would enable the United States "to carry out its pledge to maintain into the future its very significant security, government, economic, and civil society programs."

He said the project, which is to be completed by 2014, started earlier this year and currently employs about 500 Afghans.

Once construction gets under way, more than 1,500 Afghan workers will be employed.

compiled from agency reports