JEDDAH, 28 September — Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived here yesterday at the start of a three-nation Gulf tour aimed at boosting much-needed economic support for his fragile government.
Karzai is scheduled to meet with Prince Abdullah, the regent, in Riyadh today for talks on the situation in Afghanistan and Saudi aid for Afghanistan’s reconstruction projects.
Informed sources said the Riyadh talks would also focus on the issue of Saudis arrested in Afghanistan during the war against Taleban and Al-Qaeda network.
Afghan presidential chief of staff Tayeb Jawad said on Thursday Karzai’s government was willing to extradite Saudi and other foreign nationals.
This is Karzai’s second visit to the Kingdom in less than a year. Anticipating further help to rebuild Afghanistan after 23 years of war, he will also visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been close supporters of Karzai’s government, which came to power last year after the overthrow of the former Taleban regime.
Saudi Press Agency said Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Majed and other Saudi officials welcomed Karzai upon arrival at Jeddah airport. Karzai was due to perform Umrah before heading to Riyadh.
Among Arab and Islamic countries, Saudi Arabia is the key donor to Afghanistan.
