Australian PM promises continued assistance to Afghanistan

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who arrived in Kabul to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and other senior officials on Sunday, promised to increase the Australian troops in the country to maintain Afghan peace and security.

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The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interests, Australian cooperation with Afghanistan, bilateral ties, war on terrorism, the peace process, human rights and the rights of the women in the country, reports Tolo News.

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The President also called on the Australian leader to provide Afghan air force with technical support so that it can maintain its technical equipment.

The Australian Prime Minister directed the Commander of Australian forces in Afghanistan to take into consideration the demand of Afghan Government in this respect.

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He pledged to increase the number of Australian troops in Afghanistan to 270 to help the Afghan police and army forces maintain security in the capital Kabul.

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Ghani thanked the Australian leader for his country's cooperation to Afghanistan in various fields and paid homage to 41 Australian soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan in their counterinsurgency mission.

The Australian Prime Minister also invited Ghani to visit his country and the invitation was swiftly accepted by the Afghan president.