Pelosi in Kabul ahead of Karzai visit

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 10 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a delegation to Afghanistan to meet with the Afghan president ahead of his trip to Washington, her office said.

Pelosi, D-Calif., led a delegation to Kabul where she attended a briefing by U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top military commander in Afghanistan.

"We are grateful for the service of our brave men and women in Afghanistan, for their commitment to America's security and their unwavering dedication to their mission," said Pelosi after a weekend meeting with U.S. forces.

Pelosi was accompanied on her visit by a congressional delegation that included members of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Pelosi later met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who is to arrive this week in Washington.

U.S. relations with Karzai turned sour following a series of political gaffes leading to the Afghan president pledging to join the insurgency if foreign interference didn't subside.

Karzai during his Wednesday visit is expected to highlight a reconciliation and reintegration plan for insurgents, including the Taliban. His visit also comes as U.S. war planners plan a major offensive to secure Kandahar province in the Taliban south of Afghanistan.