Hagel arrives in Kabul on 1st trip as US defense secretary

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel arrived Friday in Kabul for his first visit as Pentagon chief, during which he is due to meet with US commanders along with Afghani officials including President Hamid Karzai. Hagel’s visit comes at a turning point, with preparations underway for the withdrawal of combat troops by the end of spring 2014. The US is under pressure as it leads the effort to train the Afghan forces so as to take over security duties following the international troops’ withdrawal. Some 66,000 US troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan alongside 37,000 NATO soldiers and 352,000 Afghani soldiers and police officers. “That transition has to be done right, it has to be done in partnership with the Afghans, with our allies,” said Hagel who assumed the Pentagon’s top post nine days ago. “Our country as well as Afghanistan, the region, and the allies have a lot at stake here. And our continued focus and energy and attention on Afghanistan is going to be very important.”