Karzai refuses to meet Obama, as US leader visits Afghanistan

Kabul. May 26. Silkroadnews – Afghan President Hamid Karzai refused to meet US President Barack Obama, who has arrived to Afghanistan, as Russian BBC service informs.
“Afghan President Hamid Karzai has refused to meet US leader Barack Obama, as he unexpectedly arrive to the country’s military base in Bagram”, the article states.
As reported, Barack Obama’s original intention was not to visit Karzai’s Presidential palace. He reportedly did not want to interfere in internal affairs, as the second round of Presidential elections is approaching this June. Karzai himself, however, is not running for another term.
Instead of the visit to the Palace, American Embassy invited Afghan President to visit military base in Bagram. Afghanistan’s Presidential Administration has declined this invitation.
Washington officials hope that the new Afghan leader is to sign bilateral agreement on security cooperation, as Hamid Karzai has not signed it. This agreement is needed for the US to retain its military presence in Afghanistan after Coalition forces leave the area at the end of the year.