Karzai in US to ease tensions

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in the US to try and turn the page on what is believed to have become a rocky relationship between Kabul and Washington.

On Wednesday, the Afghan president is scheduled to meet with US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

During his four-day visit, President Karzai will touch on issues that are believed to have made mutual ties tense.

Afghanistan’s concern about civilian casualties caused by NATO and US raids is among the main issues scheduled to be discussed during the visit.

2009 was the deadliest year for Afghan civilians since the US launched its war on the country in 2001. More than 2,400 people were killed throughout the year.

The Afghan president will also ask for details on exactly how and when the US plans to pull its troops out of Afghanistan.

Bilateral ties were further strained after President Karzai accused foreign countries of manipulating the results of last year’s presidential vote.

He has also criticized foreign troops for failing to bring security to the war-torn country.