German President arrives in Afghanistan

German President Christian Wulff arrived on Sunday in Afghanistan on a state visit. On arrival, Wulff said that Germany would remain a friend and partner for Afghanistan even after the withdrawal of international troops planned for 2014. "Germany will not abandon Afghanistan," Wulff said on what was the first state visit by a German president for 44 years. The trip was not announced in advance for security reasons, according to the German news agency (DPA). Wulff was due to meet representatives of Afghan civil society involved in human rights especially the rights of women. Wulff was scheduled to be welcomed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The two heads of state were then to hold talks. The meeting of the two presidents will help prepare for a conference on Afghanistan scheduled to be held in Bonn, Germany, in early December. Around 5,000 German troops are based in Afghanistan. They are due to begin withdrawing at the end of this year.