Cheney meets with Afghan president

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 20 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney restated a U.S. commitment to Afghanistan Thursday and said he envisioned that country enjoying peace and freedom.

"The commitment of the United States is firm and unshakable," Cheney said during a news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during the unannounced visit to Kabul. "Our goal is a country that grows in justice and prosperity. That vision of freedom and peace will become a reality, I have no doubt of this."

He noted reconstruction efforts in several areas, adding, "The progress of this nation is all the more remarkable in light of the fact that there is a war going on."

Karzai thanked the United States for its assistance in training the Afghan army. He said he anticipated international military support would be needed for some time to come.

"Afghanistan will need for a long time support from the international community in the rebuilding exercise here in Afghanistan, and in strengthening of the Afghan security institutions," he said, even though the country's army has advanced through the years. "Our security institutions are stronger, we are able to take more and more responsibility for the provision of security to our population around the country."